FA IR Y LE GE N D S

TR A D I T I O N S

OF

T HE S OUT H O F IR EL A N D .

BY

WW
T . C R O FT O N CROKER .

a N e w E h itfo n .

IT H NU M E R O U S S
I LLU T R A TI O N S , A FT E R S
D E I GN S OF

T H E A UTH O R A N D O TH E R S .

C o m e 1 ar ab a

F i
e n ce

Ch e c i s i a, o g n u n l o d ic e ;
D o ve 8 1 a, n e s s u n lo 8a .
M S
E TA S TA IO .

b i l an e l p b i a:
LEA AN D B L AN C HAR D .

1 84 4 .
 P R E FA C E .

TH E e ru d i te ty le s a p r e fac e the h is
L e ss in g s

bo o k N o w th o u g h th e r e c an b e n o

t o ry o f a .
,

n e c e s s i ty f o r a p r e f ac e i n th at s e n s e o f th e w o r d

to t he r e p r i n t o f a w o r k o f m e re w h i m w h i c h h as
,

b e e n n e ar ly te n y e ar s b e fo r e th e p u bli c y e t a f e w
,

w o r d s ar e r e qu i s i t e to p r e v e n t t he p r e s e n t c o n

d e n s e d an d r e v i s e d e d i t i o n fr o m b e i n g c o n s i d e r e d
an ab r i d g m e n t .

Ho w e v e r c o m p ac t m ay b e th e m o d e o f p r i n t i n g
ad o p te d th e ac t o f c o m p r e s s i n g i n t o o n e v o l u m e
,

th e th r e e in w h i c h t h e

F ai r y L e ge n d s o ri i
g
n ally app e ar e d i n v o l ve d to a c e r t ai n e x t e n t t h e
,

n e c e s s i ty o f s e le c t i o n p e r h ap s th e m o s t d i fc u l t
,

o f all t as k s ju d i c i o u s ly to p e r fo r m b u t th e fo llo w
i n g s t ate m e n t w i ll s h o w th e s y s te m p ro c e e d e d o n .

F o r ty t ale s d e s c r ip t i v e o f Ir i s h s u p e rs ti t i o n s
n o w app e ar i n s t e ad o f fty

.A ll s u p e r u o u s ah
n o t ati o n s h av e b e e n s t r u c k o u t an d a b r i e f s u m
,

m ar y at th e e n d o f e ac h s e c t i o n s u b s ti t u t e d e x ,

l an ato ry o f th e c las s i c at i o n ad o p t e d a n d in
p ,

w h i c h a fe w add i t i o n al n o t e s h av e b e e n i n t ro
vi P R E F A CE .

du ce d , as w e ll as u po n th e te x t . It isth e re fo r e
h o p e d th at th i s c u r t ai l me n t w i ll b e r e gar d e d as an
e s s e n t i al i m p r o v e m e n t ; s o me u s e le s s r e p e t i t i o n i n

th e t ale s b e i n g th e r e by av o i d e d an d m u c h ir r e le
,

v an t m att e r i n th e n o t e s d i s p e n s e d w i th al th o u g h
,

n o th i n g w h i c h i llu s t r at e s in the s l i g ht e s t d e g r e e

th e p o p u lar F ai r y C r e e d o f Ir e lan d h as b e e n s a
c r ic e d . A t th e s am e t i m e t he o m i s s i o n o f a p o r
,

t i o n o f th e te n i mm ate r i al t ale s w i ll s u fc i e n tly

an s w e r d o u b t s i d ly r ai s e d as to the q u e s t i o n o f

au th o r s h i p .
 C O N TE N T S .

T H E SH E F R O .
i
P gea

I. T he Legen d of K n o c k s he o g o w n a,
II. K no c ke r n a, 17
III K n o c k g r afto n ,
Pi
.

IV T he r e s t s S u pp e r,
.

0

V T he B r e w e ry o f E gg s hells ,
.
-

VI Le ge n d o f B o ttle H 1 1] ,
i ke
. .

V II T he C o n fe s s o n s o f T o m B our
ii ii
.
,

V III F a r es o r n o Fa r es ,
.

N o t e o n t he S e c t i o n .

TH E C L U R I C A U N E .

3
IX . T he H au nte d C ell ar, 8
X M as ter an d M an , 3
i
.

XI . T he L t tle Sho e , 3
N o te o n the S e c ti o n . 3
T H E B A N SH E E .

X II . T he B u n w o r th B an s hee ,
X III . T he M Car t hy B an s h ee ,

' 85
N o te o n th e S e c ti o n . 1 00

OO K A
TH E P H .

X I V T he Spi r i t H o rs e 1 01
XV D an i el O R o u rk e
.
,

1 05
k
. ,

X V I T he C r o o k e n e d B ac
.
,

N o te o n t he S e c ti o n . 1 17

TH I R R N A NA OGE .

XVII i
F o r Us ga,
. 1 19
X V III C o rm ac an d Mary (B allad, )
. 1 22
X IX T h e Leg e n d o f Lo ug h Gu r , 1 24
k
.

XX T he E n c hante d L a e ,
. 1 26
X X I The Leg en d o f O D o no ghu e ,
.

13 0
N o te on the S e cti o n . 13 2
 W
W W
v iii C ONTE NTS .

TH E M E RR O .

XXII T he Lady o f Golle r n , 13 3

i
.

XX III Flory C an t l lo n s F uneral , 13 9

.

XXIV . T he L o r d o f D u u k e rr o n (B allad , ) 1 43
XXV . The on de r f ul T une , 1 46
N o te o n t h e S e c ti o n . 1 54

T H E D U LL A H A N .

XXV I T he Goo d o man , 1 55

i
.

XXVII H anlon s M ll , 1 63

.

XXVIII . T he D e at h C o ac h (B allad, ) 1 67
XX I X . T he H e adle s s Ho r s e man , 1 69
N o te o n t he S e c t i o n . 1 78

TH E FI R D A R R I G .

XXX . i i
D ar m d B aw n , t he er
p , Pi 1 79
XXX I . T e ig u e o f t he L e e , 1 84
XXX II N e d S he e hy s E x c u s e ,

1 90
k
.

XXX III . T he L u c y G ue s t , 201

W
N o t e o n t he S e c ti o n . 208

T R E A S U R E LE G E N D S .

XXXI V . i
D r e am n g T i m J arv is , 209
XXXV R ent D ay , 21 7
i
.

XXXV I . L nn - n a- Pay s ht ha, 220

N o t e o n t he S e c ti o n .

B O OK S AN D ST O N E S .

XXXV II T he Legen d o f C a rn T hie rn a, i 226

k
.

XXXVIII . T he R o c o f t he C an dle , 229

XXX IX C l o u g h n a C u ddy ,
- -
232
i i
.

XL T he G ant s St a rs

. .

A P P E ND IX Le tte r from Si r lter Scott

a . 247
 W
W
W
T O TH E

DO A GE R LAD Y C HA TT E R T O N .

A ST L E A

W
C M H ON .

T H E E , L dy , w u d I e ad h u g h F a ry- a d
a o l l t ro i ln
( h en e
c c o d al
n d d o u b n
g r asti
o n r se ar e e ex i le d ) ,

l
A an d o f d r e ams , w h air b uit c as ilt tle i l
-s p ed;

li t
T he m o o n g h S H E F R O S h r , t e e in e
m r ry b a d n
i th artful C L U R I C A U N E s ho ul d ready s tand
,

T o w e l c o me t hee I mag i n at i o n s c hi l d !

T i ll on t hy e ar w o u l d b urs t s o s adl y w i l d
The B aN S H E E s s hr i e k w ho po i nts w i t h w it he r d han d

, .

I n t he dim t w i l i ght s ho u ld the P H OO K A c o me ,

ho s e d us k y fo r m fade s i n t he s u n ny l i g ht ,

T hat o pe n s cl e ar c al m L A K E S u p o n t hy s i g ht ,

here b l e s s e d s p i r i t s d w e ll i n e n dle s s b l o o m
.

I k n o w thee Ladytho u w i lt n o t de r i de
,

S u c h F ai ry Sc ene s T he n o n w ar d w i t h t hy Gui de
. .
 .
T he W
oo d E ngravi ngs
M r BR OO K E , R H A
. . .
, .

af

M r M CL I S E ,
ter D es i gn s
an d t he
by
A U TH OR .
 r m!)

FAI R Y L E GE N D S .
FAI R Y L E GE N D S .

THE SHEFR O .

W
W
Or d
i i

,
,
i
Fa ry E lve s
ho s e m dn ght r e v el s , b y a f o re s t s de
i
O r fo u nt a n s o me b el ate d pe as an t s ee s ,
re ams he s ees w hi le ove r he ad the

he e l s he r p ale c o urs e .
"
.

S i ts arb i tre s s an d nea r e r t o the e art h

i
Mo o n

M IL T O N .
 W
L E GE N D S O F TH E SH E F R O .

THE

L E G E N D O F K N O C K S H E O GO NA .

I .

IN Ti pperary i s o n e o f th e m ost s i n gul arly sh aped h i ll s

i n the w orl d It h as got a pea k at th e top l i ke a c o n i cal
.

n i gh tcap th ro w n carelessl y o ver yo u r head as you a w ake

i n the m orn i n g O n the very poi n t is b u il t a sort o f lo d ge

.
,

w here i n the su m m er the l ady w h o bu i l t i t an d her fri e n d s

u sed to go o n parties o f pleasu re ; bu t th at w as l on g after th e

days of t h e fai r ies an d i t i s I bel ieve n o w deserted

, , , .

B ut before l od ge w as bu i lt or acre so w n there w as cl ose

, ,

to th e h ead o f th i s h i ll a l arge pastu rage w here a h erds m a n,

Spen t h i s d ays an d n i g h ts a m on g t h e h erd T h e s pot h ad .

b ee n a n ol d fai ry grou nd a n d th e good peopl e w ere an gry

,

that th e sce ne o f thei r l i g h t an d ai ry ga m bol s sh oul d be

tra m pl ed by th e rude h oofs o f bul ls a n d co w s T h e l o w i n g .

o f th e cattle sou nded sad i n thei r ears an d th e ch ief o f t h e

,

fairies o f th e h il l deter m i ned i n person to d ri ve a w ay t he

n e w co m ers ; an d th e w ay sh e th ou gh t o f w as th i s Wh e n .

th e h arvest n i gh ts ca m e o n an d the m oo n sh on e bri g h t

,

a n d brill ian t over t h e h i ll an d th e cattle w ere ly i n g d o w n

,

h u shed and qu iet a n d the h erds m an w r apt i n h is m an tl e

, , ,

w as m usi n g w i th h i s h eart gladde ned by the gl ori ou s c o m

pan y o f th e stars t w i nkl i n g above h i m sh e w ou l d co m e an d

,

d an ce before h i m n o w i n o n e shape n o w i n an oth er

, ,
bu t al l u gly a n d fri gh tfu l to beh ol d O ne ti m e sh e w ou l d
.

be a great h orse w i th th e w i n gs of an ea gl e and a tai l l ike

, ,

a dragon h issi n g lou d an d spitti n g re

, The n i n a m o m en t
.

s he w oul d ch an ge i nto a l i ttl e man l a m e o f a leg w ith a

,

2
 14

THE

,
L E G E ND O F
b ull s h ead an d a l a m be nt a m e pl ay i n g ro u n d i t T h e n
i nto a great ape w i th d u ck s feet an d a turkey c o o k s tai l
,

B u t I sh o u l d be al l d ay abou t i t w ere I t o tel l y o u all th e

K N O C K S H E O GO
o

,
W NA .

s hapes s he took A n d the n s h e w oul d roar o r n ei gh o r

.
, ,

h iss o r bel l o w o r h o w l o r h oot as nev er yet w as roari n g

, , , , ,
n e igh i n g h iss i n g bel l o w i n g h o w l i n g o r h ooti n g h eard i n
, , , , ,

th i s w o rl d before o r s i n ce Th e poor h e rds m an w ou ld .

co ver h is face a n d cal l o n al l th e sai n ts fo r h el p bu t i t w as

, ,

n o u se Wi t h o n e pu ff o f h er breath s h e w oul d bl o w a w ay
.

th e fol d o f h i s gr eat coat l et h im h ol d i t n e v er s o ti ghtl y ,

o ver h is e y e s an d n ot a sai n t i n heave n pa i d h i m the sl ightes t

,

atte n ti o n A n d to m ake m atters w orse h e n e v er cou l d

.
,

stir ; n o n o r eve n sh u t h is e y es b ut th ere w as obl iged to

, ,

stay h el d by w h at po w er h e k ne w n o t gazi n g at these

, ,

terr i ble s igh ts u nti l the h a i r o f h is head w oul d l ift h i s h at

hal f a foo t o ver h i s c ro w n a n d h i s teeth w o u l d be ready t o ,

fal l o u t fro m c hatteri n g B u t the cattle w o ul d sca m per .

abou t m ad as i f th ey w ere b i tten by the y ; an d th i s w o u l d

,

last u n ti l th e s u n rose o ver the h il l .

Th e poor cattl e fro m w an t o f res t w ere p i n i n g a w a y ,

a nd food d id th e m n o good ; besi des th ey m e t w ith acc i ,

d e n ts w i th ou t en d Never a n i ght passed that so m e o f the m

.

d i d n ot fal l i nto a pit a n d get m ai m ed o r m ay be k i l led , , , ,

.

S o m e w oul d tu m bl e i n to a r i ver a n d be d ro w n ed ; i n a w ord ,

there see m ed n ever to be an e n d o f th e acc i den ts B ut .

w h at m ade th e m atter w orse th e re c ou l d n o t be a h erds ,

~

m an got to ten d th e cattl e by n i ght O n e v i s i t fro m th e .

fai ry drove the sto utest hearted al m ost m ad Th e o w ne r .

o f the grou n d d i d n ot k n o w w h at to d o H e o ffere d d o u .

bl e trebl e quadrupl e w ages b ut n ot a m an cou l d be

, , ,

fou n d for th e sake o f m o n ey to go throu gh th e h orror o f

fac i n g th e fai r y S h e rej o iced at th e su c cessfu l i ss u e o f he r
.

project an d co n ti n u e d h er pran ks T h e herd grad u al ly

,
.

th i n n i n g an d n o m an dar i n g to re m ai n o n th e grou nd th e
, ,

fair ies ca m e b ac k i n n u m bers an d ga m bolled as m erri l y as ,

before q u ai n g d e w d rops fro m acorns an d spread i ng thei r

,
-
,

feast o n the heads of capac ious m u shroo m s .

Wh at w as to be d o n e ? th e puzzled far m er t h o ugh t i n

va i n H e fou n d th at h i s su bsta nce w as d ail y d i m i n ish i n g
. ,

h is peopl e terri ed an d h i s ren t day co m i n g rou n d I t is

,
- .

n o w o n der th at h e l ooked gl oo m
y an d w al ked m o ur n fu l l y ,
 W
W
T HE L E G E ND O F K N O C K SH E O G O N A . 15

d o w n the road N o w ih th at part o f th e

. orl d d w el t a w

m an o f th e n a m e o f L arry H o o lah an , w h o played o n th e

pi pes b e tter th a n a ny o ther player w ith i n ftee n p arishes .

A rov i n g d ash i n g blade w as L arry an d feared n oth i n g

, , .

G i v e h im pl en ty o f l i qu or and h e w oul d defy th e devi l ,

.

H e w oul d face a m ad bu ll o r gh t s in gle h and e d agai nst a ,

-

fai r I n o n e o f h i s gl oo m y w al k s the far m er m e t hi m and

.
,

o n Larry s aski n g th e cau se o f h i s d o w n looks h e tol d h i m

al l h is m isfortu nes
m a k e yo ur m i n d easy
,
If th at is all ai l s y o u said L arry
.
, ,
e re t h ere as m any fai ries o n
.

K n o c k s he o go w n a as there are potato bl osso m s i n E lio gu r

ty I w oul d face th e m
,
I t w ou ld be a q ueer th i n g i nd e ed
.
, ,

i f I w ho n ever w as afraid of a proper m an s h ould tu rn m y

, ,

back upon a b r at o f a fai ry n ot the bi gness of o ne s th u m b
.

L arry sai d th e far m er d o n ot t al k s o ho ld for you
,

, ,

k n o w n ot w h o i s heari n g you ; bu t i f you m ake y o u r

W
w ords good a n d w atch m h er d s for a w eek o n th e t o o f
, y p
the m ou ntai n you r h an d shal l be free o f m y d ish ti l l th e
,

s u n has burn t itsel f d o w n to th e b igness Of a farth i n g rush

l i gh t .

The bargai n w as stru c k a n d L arry w en t to th e h il l top ,

-
,

w h en th e m oo n bega n to peep over the bro w H e h ad .

been regaled at the far m er s h ou se an d w as ho ld w i th th e

,

extr act o f barl ey corn S o h e t ook h is seat o n a b i g sto n e
-
.

u n der a h ol lo w o f th e h i l l w i th h i s back to th e w i nd and , ,

pu l led o u t h i s p ipes H e h ad n ot pl ayed l on g w h en th e

.

v oi ce o f th e fairies w as h eard u po n th e blast l ike a sl o w ,

strea m o f m u si c Prese n tl y th ey burst o u t i n to a l oud

.

l au gh an d L arry coul d pl ai n l y h ear o n e say

, h at ! an o ,

ther m an u po n t he fai ri es ri ng? Go to h im quee n a n d

, ,

m ak e hi m repe n t h i s rash ness ; an d th ey e w a w ay .

L arry fel t the m pass by h i s face as they e w l ike a s w ar m ,

o f m idges an d l ook i n g u h astily h e s a bet ee n th e

; ,p w w ,

m oo n a nd h i m a great blac k c at, sta nd i n g o n th e very tip

o f i ts cl a w s w i th i ts back u an d m e w i n g w i t h th e voi ce
, p ,

O f a w ater m i ll Presently i t s w el led u p to w ard s th e sky

-
.
,

a n d tu rn i n g rou n d o n i ts l eft h i n d leg w h i rled till i t fel l to -

,

the grou n d , fro m w h ich i t started u p i n t he shape o f a sal

m o n w ith a cravat rou n d its n e c k an d a pai r o f n e w top
, ,

b oots GO o j e e l
. n w sai d L arr y ; i f y o u dan ce I ll
,

, ,

pipe ; and h e s tr u ck u p So s h e tu r n ed i n to th is an d th at
.
, ,
16

an d
ho w .
THE

,
L E G E ND O F
th e oth er but stil l L arr y pl a yed o n as h e w el l k n e w
K N O C K SH E O G O

A t l ast s h e l ost pa t i e n ce as l ad ies w ill d o w he n y o u

d o n ot m i n d th e i r scol d i n g and ch an ged h ersel f i nto a cal f
,
,

,
W NA.

,
m i l k w h i te as th e crea m o f C ork an d w i th eyes as m i l d as
-
,

th ose o f th e gi rl I l o ve S h e ca m e u p gen tl e a n d fa w n i n g
.
,

i n h opes t o t h ro w h im o ff h i s guard by qu iet n ess a n d th e n ,

to w ork h i m so m e w ro n g B u t L arry w as n ot s o decei ved ;

.

for w he n s he ca m e u p h e dro p pi n g h is pi pes leaped U po n

, , ,
h er back .

N o w fro m th e top o f K n o c k s he o go w n a, as y o u l ook

w est w ard to th e broad A tl a n ti c o u w ill s e e th e S ha n n o n
y , ,

q u ee n o f r i vers ; spread i n g l ike a s e a an d r u n n i n g o n in ,
gen tl e co urse to m i n gl e w i th th e o cea n th rough t he fai r city
o f L i meri ck It o n th i s n i gh t sh on e u n der th e m oon an d
.
,

l o oke d beauti fu l fro m th e d i stan t h i l l F i fty boats w ere .

W
gl id i n g u p a n d d o w n o n the s w eet c urre n t, a n d th e so n g

W
o f th e sh er m e n r ose gai ly fro m th e sh ore L arry as I .
,

sai d before l eaped U po n th e back o f the fai ry a n d s he r e

, , ,
o i c e d at th e Opportu n ity Spru n g fro m t h e h i l l nd
j , t o
p a -
,

bo u n ded cl ear at o n e j u m p over the S ha n n o n o w i n g as it

, , ,

w as j u s t t e n m iles fro m th e m ou n tai n s base I t w as d o n e i n

.

a secon d an d w h e n sh e al i gh ted o n th e d i stan t ban k k i ck i n g

, ,

u h er heels s h e u n g L arry o n t h e soft tu rf N o soo ne r

p , .

w as h e th us pl anted th a n h e l ooked her strai gh t i n th e f ace

, ,

an d scratch i n g h i s head cr ied o u t,

By m y o rd , e l l
,

d o ne ! t h at w as n ot a bad le ap f o r a calf !
S h e l ooked at h i m for a m o m en t a n d th e n assu m ed h e r ,

o w n sh ape . L auren ce said s h e y,
o u are a bol d fel lo w ; ,

w i l l y o u co m e back t h e w ay y o u w ent ? A n d th at s

w h at I w i ll said h e i f y o u let m e
,

,
So ch a n gi n g to a .

cal f agai n agai n L arry got o n h er back an d at a n other

, ,

b o u n d th ey w ere agai n u po n the top o f K n o c k s he o go w n a .

Th e fa iry o n ce m ore resu m i n g her gure add ressed h i m :

, ,

Yo u h ave sh o w n s o m u c h courage L au ren ce sai d s h e , , ,
t h at w h i l e you keep h erd s o n th i s h i l l o u n e v er sh al l b e
y
m olested by m e o r m i n e Th e d ay d a w n s go d o w n to
.
,

t h e far m er an d tel l h i m th i s ; an d if an y th i n g I can d o m ay

,

b e o f serv ice to y o u ask an d you shal l h ave i t
, , She .

v an ish ed accord i n gly ; a n d kept h e r w ord i n n ev er V i siti n g

the h i ll d u ri n g L arry s l i fe : b u t h e n ever troub led h er w i th

req uests H e piped an d d ra n k at th e far m er s expe ns e ,
.
an d
T HE L E G E ND O F K N O C K SH EO G O

roo sted i n hi s c h i m n ey corner , occasi o nall y casti n g an

eye to th e ock H e d ied at l ast an d i s b uried i n a gree n
.

V al ley o f pleasant Ti p perary : but w h ether th e fai ries r e

"
,
W
NA .

0
l7

t u rned to the h i l l of K n o c k s h e o go w n a after h is death , i s

m ore th a n I can s ay .

TH E

L E G E N D O F K N O C K FIE R N A J

II .

I T i s a v ery good th i n g n o t to b e an y w ay i n d read o f

th e fairies for w i thou t d ou bt they h ave then less po w er
,

o ver a person ; bu t to m ake too free w i th th e m o r to d is ,

bel ieve i n the m al togeth er, i s as fool is h a th i n g as m an ,

w o m an o r ch il d can d o
, .

I t has bee n truly said th at good m an n ers are n o b ur ,

d en an d th at ci v i l ity costs n oth i ng ; but th ere are
,

s o m e people fool h ardy e n ough to d isr e gard d oi n g a ci v i l

-

K n o c k s he o g o w na s i
g n i es The H i ll f
o t he F ai r y Gu ifZ

f C all e d b y th e p e o pl e o f t he co u nt ry K n o c k D h o i n n F i r i n n e ,

i
the m o u nt a n o f D o n n o f T r uth i
T h s m o u n t a n is v e ry h g h , an d i i
i i
.
.

m ay b e s e e n f o r s e v e r al m les r o u n d ; an d w he n p e o ple ar e d e s ro u s

W
to k
n o w w he t her o r n o t any d ay w ill r a n , t he y lo o at t h e t o p o f i k
k i
Kn o c F iri nn e , an d f t hey s e e a v ap o u r o r m l s t t he r e , t he y mm e i
i i
d iate ly c o n c l u de t hat r a n w ll s o o n fo l lo w , b e l e v n g t hat D o n n (t he i i
i i
lo r d o r c h e f) o f that mo u n ta n an d his ae r al as s s t ants are c o ll e c t i i
in g t he c l o u ds , an d t hat h e h o l d s t he m t he r e fo r s o me s ho r t t me , t o i
w ar n t he p e o ple o f t he appro ac h ng r a n i
A s t h e ap pe ar an c e o f i
i i i i i i i i
.

m s t o n t hat m o u nta n n t he m o r n n g is c o n s der e d an n fal l b l e s g n

i i
t hat t hat day w l l b e r a ny , D o n n is c alle d D o n n F i r in n e , D o n n

of Trut h ME E D A R D O R E I L L Y

. .

.

9K
2
18 THE L E G E ND O F K N O CK F I E R N A .

th i n g w h i ch w h atever th e y m ay th i n k c an n e ve r har m
, , ,

th e m s el ves or a ny o n e e l se an d w ho at th e sa m e t i m e w il l ,

go o u t o f t h e i r w ay for a bi t o f m i sch i ef w h i c h n e V e r ca n ,

s e r ve t h e m ; bu t soo ne r o r l ater th ey w i ll co m e tO k n o w

better as y o u shal l h ear o f C arrol l O D aly a strappi n g y o u n g

,

fel lo w u p o u t o f C o n nau gh t w h o m they used to cal l i n h is , ,

o w n co u ntry D ev i l D aly
, .

C arrol l O D aly u sed t o go ro vi n g ab ou t fro m o n e pl ace

to a n other a n d th e fear o f n o t h i n g stoppe d h i m ; h e w oul d

,

as soo n pass a n ol d ch urchyard o r a regul ar fai ry grou n d ,

at an y h o ur o f th e n i gh t as go fro m o ne ro o m i n to a n oth er ,

w i th o u t e ve r m aki n g th e s i g n o f th e cross or say i n g , ,

Good l uck atte n d y o u gen tle m e n , .

I t so h appened th at h e w as o n c e j o u r n e y i n g i n th e o u nty

,

o f L i m eri ck to w ard s th e Bal bec o f Irel an d th e v e n e

W
, ,

rabl e to w n o f K i l m al l ock ; a n d j u st at th e foot o f K n ock

e r n a h e overtoo k a res p ectabl e l ook i n g m an j oggi n g al o n g -

U po n a w h i te po n y The n igh t w as co m i n g o n a n d they

.
,

r od e sid e by s i de for so m e ti m e w i th o u t m u c h co n v ersa ,

ti o n passi n g bet w ee n th e m fur ther th an sal u ti n g eac h other ,

v ery k i ndly ; at last C arrol l O D al s co m p an i o n

y aske
,
d h i
h o w far h e w as go i n g ?

N ot far you r w ay sai d t he f ar m e r fo r s u ch his ap
, ,

r an c e bespoke h i m ; I m o n l go i n g to he top o f th i s

p e a
y t

h il l here .

A n d w hat m i ght tak e y o u th ere
s ai d O D aly , at
,

th i s ti m e o f t he n i g ht ?

h y th e n re p l ied the far m er i f y o u w a n t to k n o w ;
,

,

tis th e g o o d p e op le .

The fairies yo u m ean said O D aly ,

.

Wh ist ! w h ist ! sai d h is fel l o w travel ler o r y o u m ay
-
,

b e sorry for i t ; an d h e turned h i s po ny o ff th e road they
w ere go i n g to w ards a l ittl e path w h i ch l ed u t h e si de o f
, p
th e m ou ntai n w ish i n g C arrol l O D aly goo d n i gh t and a
,

safe j ourn ey .

T h at f e llo w
o
th ou gh t Carroll is abou t n o good th i s
,

,

bl e s sed n i ght a n d I w ou l d h ave n o fear o f s w eari n g w ro n g

,

i f I took m y B i ble oath t h at i t i s so m eth i n g e ISe bes id e th e

fai ries o r th e go o d peopl e as h e cal ls th e m t hat is tak i n
, , ,

hi m up th e mou ntai n at th i s h ou r Th e fairies ! he r e p e at e 3

.
,

is i t fo r a w e ll s h ape d m an l ike h im t o be go i n g aft e r

-
 T HE L E G E ND O F K N O C K F IE R N A . 19

l ittl e ch aps like th e fairies ! T o be su re so m e say th ere are

su ch th i ngs an d m ore s ay n ot ; but I k no w th i s th at n ever
, ,

afraid w ou ld I be o f a d ozen o f the m ay o f t w o d ozen f o r , , ,

that m atter i f they are n o bi gger than w h at I hear tell o f
, .

C arrol l O D aly w h ilst these th ou gh ts w ere passi n g i n

,

h i s m i nd h ad xed h i s eyes steadfastly o n th e m ou nt ai n ,

,

beh i n d w h ic h the ful l m oo n w as risi n g m ajestical l y U po n .

an el evated po i n t t h at appeared darkly agai nst t h e m o o n s

d isk h e behel d th e gure o f a m an l ea d i n g a po ny a n d h e

, ,

h ad n o d ou bt i t w as t h at o f th e far m er w ith w h o m h e h ad
j u st parted co m pany .

A su dde n resol ve to fol l o w ash ed across th e m i n d o f

O D aly w ith t h e speed o f l igh t n i n g : b oth h i s courage an d

cu ri os ity had bee n w orked u p by h i s cogi tati on s to a pitc h

o f ch ival r y ; a nd m u tteri n g H ere s after y o u o l d boy !
, ,

,

h e d is m o u nted fro m h is h orse bou n d h im t o a n o ld th orn ,

tree an d the n co m m e n ced v i gorously ascend i n g the m ou n

,

tai n .

Foll o w i n g as w el l as he c ou l d the d irecti o n take n by th e

gures o f the m an a n d po ny h e pursued h i s w ay o c cas io n , ,

a lly gu ided by thei r parti al appeara n ce : an d after toi l i n g

n early th ree h ou rs over a ru gged a n d so m eti m es s w a m py
path ca m e to a gree n spo t o n the top o f th e m ou ntai n
, ,

w here h e s aw th e w h ite po ny at ful l l iberty grazin g as

q u ietl y as m ay be O D aly l oo ked arou n d for the rider
.

,

b u t he w as n o w h ere to be seen ; h e h o w ever soo n d i sco , ,

v ered close to w h ere th e pony stood an open i n g i n the

, ,

m o u ntai n l ike th e m o uth of a p it an d he re m e m bered ,

h av i n g h eard w h en a ch i ld m an y a tal e abo u t the Poul

, ,

d u ve o r Black H ol e o f K n o c k e r n a ; h o w i t w as the e u
,

tran ce to th e fairy castle w h ich w as w i t h i n th e m ou ntai n ;

a n d ho w a m an w h ose n a m e w as A her n a l an d su rvey or ,

i n that par t of th e co u n try h ad o n ce atte m pted to fath o m

,

i t w i th a l i ne a n d h ad bee n dra w n d o w n i n to i t an d w as
, ,

n e v er agai n heard o f ; w i t h m any other tales o f th e l ike n a

t u re .

B ut th ou gh t O D aly
,
these are o ld w o m a n s s to

,

r ies : a n d s i nce I ve co m e u so far I l l j ust k nock at th e

p ,

c astle d oor an d s e e if th e fai ri es are at h o m e .

No soo ner sai d than don e ; for seizi n g a l arge sto n e as , ,

big ay , bigger th a n h is t w o h and s , h e u n g i t w i t h all h is

,
20 THE L E G E ND o r K N O OK F I E R N A .

s tre ng th d o w n i nto th e Po ul d u ve o f K n o ck e r n a
-
He .

h eard i t bou n d i n g an d tu m bl i n g abou t fro m o n e rock t o

a n other w i th a terri bl e n oi se a n d h e l ea n ed h i s h ead o ve r to
try an d h ear w hen i t w ou l d reac h th e botto m
,

an d w h a t
,

s h oul d th e v ery sto ne h e h ad th ro w n i n d o b ut co m e u p

agai n w i th as m uch force as i t h ad go n e d o w n an d gav e ,

h im s u ch a bl o w f ul l i n t h e face that i t sen t h i m rol l i n g

, ,

d o w n th e s id e o f K n o c k e r n a head o v er h eel s tu m bl i n g
, ,

f ro m o n e crag to a n other m u ch faster th an h e ca m e U p

, .

A n d i n th e m orn i n g C arrol l O D aly w as fou n d ly i n g bes id e

h is h orse ; th e bri d ge o f h i s n ose broken w h i ch d i sgu red

,

h im for l ife ; h i s h e ad all cu t a n d bru ised an d both h i s e y e s

,

c l osed u an d as bl ack as if S ir D a n iel D o n n el l h ad pai n ted

p
, y
the m for hi m .

C arrol l O D aly w as n ever ho l d agai n i n r id i n g al o n g n ear

th e h au nts o f the fairies after d usk ; b u t s m al l bl a m e to h i m

f o r th at ; an d i f e ver h e h appe ned to b e ben i gh ted i n a l one
s o m e pl ace he w ou l d m ak e the best o f h i s w ay to h i s j ou r
,

n ey s e nd , w ith o u t aski n g qu est io ns o r turn i n g t o th e r i gh t
,

o r t o th e l eft t o seek after t h e ood peopl e o r a n w h o

, g , y
k ept co mpan y w i th t h e m .
 21

TH E

LE GE N D OF K N O C K GR A F T O N .

II I .

T H E R E w as o n ce a poor m an w h o l i v ed i n th e ferti le
gl e n o f A he r lo w at th e foot o f th e gl oo m y Gal tee m ou n
,

tai n s an d h e h ad a great h u m p o n h i s bac k : h e l ooked just

,

as i f h i s body h ad bee n rol led u p an d pl aced upo n h is

sh oulders ; an d h is head w as pressed d o w n w i th the w ei gh t
s o m u ch that h is c h i n w h e n he w as sitti n g u sed to res t
, , ,

u pon h is kn ees for su pport Th e cou ntry peopl e w ere r a

.

ther shy of m eeti n g h i m i n any l o neso m e pl ace for th ou gh , ,

p oor c r e at u r e he w as as har m less an d as i n o ffen s i ve as a n e w

,

born i nfa n t yet h is defor m i ty w as so great th at h e scarcel y

, ,

appeared to be a h u m an bei n g A n d so m e i l l m i nded per

.
-

so ns had set stran ge stories abo ut him aoat H e w as sa i d .

to h ave a great k n o w led ge o f h erbs a n d ch ar m s ; bu t certai n

i t w as t hat h e h ad a m i ghty ski lfu l ha n d i n pl atti n g stra w
an d rush es i nto h ats an d baskets w h ic h w as th e w ay h e ,
m ade h is l i vel i h ood .

L u s m o r e for that w as th e n i ckna m e pu t u po n h i m by

,

r easo n o f h is al w ays w eari n g a spri g of the fai ry c ap or ,

i n h i s l i ttl e stra w h at w ou ld ever get a h i gher

,

pe n ny for h i s plaited w ork tha n any o n e else an d per h aps ,

that w as the reaso n w h y so m e o n e o u t of e n vy h ad c ire n , ,

l ated th e stran ge stories abou t h i m Be that as i t m ay i t .

,

h appened th at h e w as return i n g o n e eve n i n g fro m th e

p retty to w n o f C ah i r to w ards Cappagh an d as l ittle L u s ,

m ore w al ked very sl o w l y o n accou nt o f t h e gre at h u m p

,

U po n h is b ack i t w as qu i te d ar k w he n h e ca m e to th e o l d
,

m oat of K n o c k g r af t o n w h i ch stood o n the ri gh t han d si de

,

o f h is road . Ti red an d w eary w as h e, an d n o w a y s c o m

L i terally , t he gr a h e t erb D ig i tali s p u rp u r e a .
22 T HE LE GE ND O F K N O C K GR A F T O N .

f o r tab lei n h i s o w n m i n d at th i nk i n g h o w m u ch farth er he

h ad to travel a n d th at h e sh oul d be w al ki n g all th e n i gh t ;
,

s o h e s at d o w n u n de r th e m oat to r e s t h i m s e l f an d bega n . ,

l ook i n g m ou rn ful l y en ou gh u po n th e m oo n , w h i ch ,
R ii
s ng in l
c o ud ed m aje s ty , at le n gt h,
t
A p p are n Q u e e , n u n v e il d h e r pee r le s s l

h
g ,t i
A n d o e r t he d ar

k i
he r s lver m an tle t hr e w

.

Prese ntly t h ere rose a w il d strai n o f u nearth ly m el ody

U po n the ear o f l i ttle L u s m o r e ; h e l i ste ned and h e t h ou gh t ,

t h at h e h ad n ever h eard su ch rav i sh i n g m u si c before I t .

w as l ike th e sou n d o f m a ny v oi ces each m i n gl i n g a n d ,

b lend i n g w i th the other s o stra n gel y th at th ey see m ed t o ,

be o n e th ough al l si n gi n g d i ffe re n t strai n s an d th e w or d s

, ,

o f th e son g w ere these .

D a L u an, D a M o r t , D a L u an, D a M o r t, D a L u an , D a .

.Mo r t, w h e n t here w oul d be a m o m e nt s p au s e , an d th e n th e

ro un d o f m el od y w e n t o n agai n .

L u s m o r e l is te n e d atten ti vely , scar cely d ra w i n g h is breath ,

l e st h e m i ght l ose th e sl i ghtest n ote H e n o w pl ai n ly per .

c e i v e d that th e si n gi n g w as w ith i n th e m oat , a n d , th ou gh

at rst i t h ad ch ar m ed h i m s o m u ch , h e bega n to get ti red

o f h eari n g th e sa m e rou n d su n g o ver an d o ver s o o fte n

w i th ou t a ny ch an ge ; s o , avai l i n g h i m sel f o f th e pause w h en

t h e D a L u an , D a M o r t, h ad bee n su n g three ti m es , h e took

U p th e t u n e a n d rai sed i t w ith the w o r d s au g u s D u C adin e ,

an d th e n w e n t o n si n gi n g w i th th e v oi ces i n si d e of t h e

W
m oat , D a L u an , D a M o r t, n is h i n g th e m el ody w he n th e
pau se agai n ca m e , w i th au g u s D a C ad in e * .

The fai ries w i t h i n K n o c k gr af to n , fo r t h e so n g w as a

fai ry m el ody w h en th ey h eard th i s add i ti o n to th e i r tu ne

W
, ,

w ere s o m u c h del i gh t e d th at w ith i nstan t resol ve i t w as

,

deter m i ne d to bri n g the m ortal a m on g th e m w h ose m u si ,

c al sk i l l s o far ex ceed ed th ei rs an d l i ttl e L u s m o r e w as

,

c o n veyed i nto th ei r co m pa ny w ith th e eddy i n g speed of a

h ir l w i n d .

Gl ori ou s to beh ol d w as th e si gh t th at bu rst U po n h im as

h e ca m e d o w n th rou gh th e m oat t w i rl i n g ro u n d a n d rou n d
,

w ith th e l i ghtness o f a stra w to the s w eetest m u si c th at

,

i
C o r r e c t ly w r t te n , D ia Lu ai n , D ia Mai r t , ag u s D ia C e ad ao i n e , . i . e .

M o n d ay , T u e s d ay , an d e dn e s d a
y .
 T HE L E G E ND o r K N O C K GR A F T O N . 23

k e pt ti m e to h i s m otion Th e greatest h o n o u r w as the n

.

pa i d h i m for he w as put U p abo v e al l th e m us i ci an s a nd

W
, ,

h e h ad servan ts ten d i n g u po n h i m and every th i n g to h is ,

h eart s conte n t an d a hearty w elco m e to all ; and i n sh ort

, , ,

h e w as m ad e as m uc h o f as i f h e had be e n the rst m an i n

th e l a nd .

Presently L u s m o r e s aw a great con sul tatio n goi n g for

w ard a m on g th e fai ries and n ot w i th stand i n g al l th ei r c i vi
,
,

l ity h e fel t v ery m u ch frightened u nti l o n e steppi n g o u t

, , ,

fro m the rest, ca m e u p to h im , and said ,

L u s m o r e ! L u s mo re !
D o u b t n o t , n o r d e p lo r e ,
i
F o r t he h u m p w h c h y o u b o r e
k
O n y o u r b ac i s n o m o r e !
Lo o k d o w n o n the o o r ,
i
A n d v e w i t , L u s m o re !

h e n these w ord s w ere said poor l i ttle L u s m o r e fel t him,

sel f s o l i ght an d s o happy th at h e though t h e cou ld h av e

, ,

bou nde d at o n e j u m p over th e m oo n l ike the c o w i n the h i s ,

to r y o f th e cat an d t h e dd le ; an d h e s aw w ith i n e x p r e s s i ,

b le pleasu re h is h u m p tu m ble d o w n U po n t he grou n d fro m

,

h is s houlders H e then tried to l i ft u p h is head a n d h e d i d

.
,

s o w ith beco m i n g cauti o n feari n g th at h e m i gh t k n ock i t

,

agai nst th e ceil i n g o f th e gra n d h al l w here h e w as ; h e ,

l ooked rou n d an d ro u n d agai n w i t h the greatest w onder

a n d d el ig h t U po n every th i n g w h ich appeared m ore an d ,

m ore beauti fu l ; and overpo w ered at beh old i n g su ch a re

,
!

splende n t scene h is head gre w d izzy an d h is eyesi g h t b e

, ,

ca m e d im A t last h e fel l i nto a sou n d sleep a n d w h e n he

.
,

a w oke h e foun d t hat i t w as broad dayl i ght the su n sh i n i n g

, ,

brightly th e b irds si n gi n g s w eet ; an d that h e w as ly i n g

,

j ust at the f oot of the m oat o f K n o c k gr af to n w ith the co w s ,

an d sheep grazi n g peaceably rou n d abo ut h im Th e rs t .

th i n g L u s m o r e d id after say i n g h i s prayers w as to pu t h is

, ,

h an d be h i nd to feel for h is h u m p bu t n o si gn o f one w as ,

t h ere o n h is back an d h e l ooked at h i m self w ith great

,

pride for he h ad n o w beco m e a w el l s haped dapper l ittl e

,
-

fel l o w ; a n d m ore than th at h e fou n d h i m s el f i n a ful l s u i t

,

o f n e w clothes w h ic h h e co ncl u ded th e fairies h ad m ade

,

f o r h im .

To w ard s Cappagh he w e n t, steppi n g o ut as l i gh tl y, an d

24 THE LE GE N D O F K N O C K GR A F T O N .

s pri n gi n g U p a t e v er y s tep , as i f h e h ad bee n all h is l i fe a

d a n c i n g m aster N o t a creature w ho m e t L u s m o r e k ne w
-
.

h i m w it h out h i s h u m p an d h e h ad great w or k to persuad e

,

ev ery o n e th at h e w as th e sa m e m an ih truth h e w as n ot ,
s o far as ou t w ard appearan ce w e n t .

O f course i t w as n ot l o n g before th e story o f L u s m o r e s

h u m p got ab out , an d a great w o n d er w as m ad e o f i t .

Th rou gh th e co u n try f o r m iles ro u n d , i t w as th e tal k o f

,

e v ery o n e , h i gh an d lo w .

O ne m or n i n g as L u s m o r e w as sitti n g co n te n ted en ou gh
at h i s cab i n door u p ca m e a n o l d w o m a n t o h im an d aske d
-
, ,

i f h e c oul d d irect h er t o C appagh .

I n eed gi ve you n o d i rectio n s , m y good w o m an sai d ,

L u s m o r e , for th i s i s C app agh ; a n d w h o d o y o u w a n t

,

h ere ?

I h ave c o m e sai d th e w o m an
,
o u t o f D e c ie s co u n ,

t r y i n th e cou n ty o f Waterfo rd l o ok i n g after o n e L u s

, ,

m ore w h o I h ave h eard tel l h ad h is h u m p take n o ff b y

, , ,

th e fairies : for th ere i s a s o n o f a gossip o f m i n e h as got a

h u m p o n h i m th at w i l l be h i s d eath : a n d m ay be i f h e ,

c ou l d u s e t he sa m e ch ar m as L u s m o r e th e h u m p m ay be ,

take n o ff h im A n d n o w I h ave tol d y ou th e reaso n of m y

.

c o m i n g s o far : t i s to n d o u t a bou t th is ch ar m i f I ca n

, .

L u s m o r e w h o w as ever a good n atured l ittl e fel lo w ,

,
-

tol d th e w o m a n al l th e parti cu l ars ; h o w h e h ad rai sed th e

tu ne for th e fai ri es a t K n o c k g r af to n h o w h i s h u m p h ad ,

bee n re m oved fro m h i s sho u lders and h o w h e had got a ,

n e w s ui t o f cl othes i nto th e bargai n .

T h e w o m a n th a n ke d h i m very m u ch a n d th e n w e n t ,

aw ay qu i te h appy a nd easy i n h er o w n m i nd Wh e n sh e .

ca m e back to her gossi p s h ou se i n the cou n ty Waterford

, ,

s he t ol d h er e very th i n g th at L u s m o r e h ad sai d an d th ey ,

p ut th e l ittl e h u m p backed m an w h o w as a peev i sh an d

-
,

cu n n i n g creature fro m h i s b irth U po n a car an d t o ok h i m , ,

al l the w ay across th e cou ntry I t w as a lo n g j o u r n e y bu t

.
,

th ey d i d n ot care for th at s o th e h u m p w as take n fro m o ff

,

h i m ; a n d they brou gh t h i m j u st at n i gh tfal l an d l eft h i m

, ,

u n der th e o l d m oat o f K n o c k g r af t o n .

Jack M adde n f o r t h at w as th e hu m p y m a n s n a m e
,

h ad n o t bee n s itti n g there lon g w h en h e h eard th e tu n e

go i n g o n w i th i n th e m oat m u ch s w eeter t h an before ;
 T HE L E G E ND O F K N O C K GR A F T O N . 25

for th e fairi es w ere si n gi n g i t th e w ay L u s m o r e h ad se t

tle d th ei r m usi c for th e m an d th e so n g ,
w as goi n g on : Da
L uan , D a ,M or t, D a L u an , D a Mo r t, D a L u an , D a M o r t,
.

au g u s D a C ad in e , w ith out ever stoppi n g Jack M adden , .

w ho i n a great h u rry to get qu i t o f h i s h u m p n e ver

w as ,

th ough t o f w aiti n g u n ti l th e fai ri es h ad d one o r w atch i n g ,

for a t Opportu n ity to ra i se t h e tu n e h igher agai n th a n

L u s m o r e h ad : s o h av i n g h eard t h e m si n g i t over seve n
t i m es w i th ou t stoppi n g o u t h e ba w l s n ever m i nd i n g th e
, ,

ti m e or th e h u m ou r o f th e tu ne o r h o w h e coul d bri n g
, ,

h i s w or d s i n properly au g u s d a C adin e au g u s D a H e n na
, ,
"e

th i nk i n g that i f o n e d ay w as goo d t w o w ere better ; an d ,

th at i f L u s m o r e h ad o n e n e w s u i t o f cl oth es gi v en to him
, ,

h e s h oul d have t w o .

N o soo ner had the w ord s passed h i s l ips th an h e w as

t ake n U p an d w h i sked i n to th e m oat w i th prod i gi ou s force ;
an d th e fairies ca m e cro w d i n g r o u nd abou t h i m w ith great
an ger screech i n g a n d screa i n g an d roari n g o u t Wh o
,
m
, ,

spoi led o u r tu ne w h o spo i led o u r tu ne ? an d o n e stepped
?

U
p to h i m above al l t h e rest a n d sai d

k
J ac M ad d e n ! J ac M add e ! k n
Y o u r w o r ds c am s o b ad i n e
t e
T h e u n w e fe e g ad i n ; l l
i te
T h s c as l y o u r h ad in , e
t
T h a y o u r l i f e w e m ay s adde n ;
H e re s t w o h u mp s f o r J ac M add

k en !

A n d t w en t y th e stron gest fairies brou gh t L u s mo r e s

o f

h u m p , a nd p u t i t d o w n U po n poor Jack s back o ver h i s

,

o w n w h ere i t beca m e xed as r m ly as if i t w as n ai led o n

W
, ,

w i th t w el vepen ny na il s by th e best carpen ter th at ever

,

drove o n e O ut o f thei r c astle they th e n k i cked hi m ; an d

.

i n th e m or ni n g w h en Jack lVIadd e n s m other an d h er gossi p

,

ca m e to l ook after t hei r l it tl e m an they fou n d h i m hal f ,

d ead l y i n g at t h e foot o f th e m oat w i th th e other h u m p

, ,

U po n h i s back Wel l to be su re h o w they d id l ook at

.
,

each other ! bu t th ey w ere afrai d to say any th i n g l est a ,

b u m p m i gh t be put U po n thei r o w n sh ou l d ers : h o m e they

brou gh t the u nl u cky Jac k M adde n w ith the m as d o w n cast ,

i n their h earts an d thei r l o oks as e ver t w o go s sips w ere ;

A nd e dne s day an d Th urs day .

3
26 THE P RI E S T S S UPP E R

.

an d w h a t t h rou gh th e w ei gh t o f h is o th er h u m p an d th e
l o n g j o u r ne y h e d ied soo n after leavi n g th ey
, , , sa
y , h is
h eavy cu rse t o an y o ne w h o w o u l d go to l i st en to fai ry
t u n es agai n .

T HE P R IE S T S
SU PP E R .

W
IV .

IT 15 sai d by th ose w h o ou gh t to u n dersta n d s u c h th i n g s ,

th at th e good peopl e o r the fairies are so m e o f th e an gel s

, ,

w h o w ere turned o u t o f h eaven an d w h o l a n ded o n t h ei r

,

feet i n th is w orl d w h i l e th e rest o f th ei r c o m pa n i o n s w h o

, ,

h ad m ore s in to s i n k th e m w e n t do w n furth er to a w ors e

,

p lace B e th i s as i t m ay there w as a m erry tro op O f th e

.
,

fairi es da n c i n g an d pl ay i n g al l m an ner o f i l d pra n ks o n

,

a b ri gh t m oon l i ght eve n i n g t o w ar d s th e e n d o f S epte m b er .

Th e sce n e of thei r m erri m en t w as n o t far d istant fro m In

c h e e e l a i n th e w est o f th e cou n ty C ork a poor v i l lage
g , ,

al th o ugh i t h ad a barrack f o r so ld iers ; bu t great m ou nta i n s

a n d barre n r o ck s l i ke th ose ro u n d abou t i t are e n ou gh to
, ,

str ike pover t y i nto any pl ace : h o w eve r as th e fairies c an ,

h ave every th i ng they w an t for w i sh i n g po verty d oes n o t ,

trou b l e the m m uch a n d al l t h ei r care i s t o seek o u t u n fr e

,

u e n t e d n ooks a n d pl aces w here i t i s n ot l ike ly any o n e

q
w i l l c o m e t o Spo il th eir sport .

O n a n ice gree n s o d by th e r iver s si de w ere the l ittl e

fe l lo w s da n ci n g in a ri n g as gai ly as m ay be , w i th th e i r r e d
 THE P RI E ST S S UPP E R

. 27

caps w aggi n g abou t at every bou n d i n th e m oon sh i n e ; an d

s o l igh t w ere these bou nds that th e l obes o f d e w ,
al th ough ,

th ey tre m bl e d u n der th ei r feet w ere n o t d i sturbed by thei r

,

caperi n g Th us d i d th ey carry o n t h ei r ga m bol s spi n n i n g

.
,

rou nd an d rou nd an d t w irl i n g an d bobbi n g a n d d i vi n g a n d

, ,

goi n g th rough al l m an ner o f gures u n ti l o n e o f the m ,

c h i rped o u t
C e as e , c e as e w i th y o ur d r u m m in g ,
H e r e s an e n d t o o u r

mu mm n g ; i
B y m y s me l l
I c an te l l
A p ri e s t t h i s w ay i s c o m i n !
g

A nd a w ay every o n e o f th e fa i ries sca m pered o ff as hard

as th ey could con ceal i n g t h e m sel ves u nder th e gree n l eaves
,

o f th e l n s m ore w h ere i f th ei r l ittle red caps sh ou ld h ap

, ,

pe n to peep o u t t hey w oul d onl y l ook l i ke i ts cri m so n

,

bell s ; an d m ore h i d t h e m sel ves i n th e h ol l o w o f sto nes ; o r

at the sh ady s ide o f bra m bles a n d others u n der th e ban k
,

o f th e ri ver an d i n h oles an d cran n i e s of o n e k i n d o r an o

,

t h er
.

Th e fairy Speaker w as n ot m i staken ; for al on g th e road ,

w h i ch w as w ith i n v ie w o f th e r i ver ca m e Father H orri ga n ,

o n h i s po ny th i n k i n g to h i m sel f th at as i t w as so l ate h e
,

w oul d m ake an en d o f h is j ou rney at th e rst cab i n h e

ca m e to A ccor d i n g to th i s d eter m i nati o n h e stopped at

.
,

the d w ell i n g o f D e r m o d L eary l ifted t he l at c h a nd e ntered

, ,

w ith M y blessi n g o n all h ere .

I need n ot say th at Father H orriga n w as a w el co m e guest

w here ver h e w e nt for n o m an w as m ore p iou s o r better
,

bel oved i n th e cou ntry N o w i t w as a great trou bl e to

.

D e r m o d that h e h ad n oth i n g to o ffer h is reveren ce for Sup

per as a rel ish to th e potatoes w h i c h th e o l d w o m an

,

for s o D e r m o d cal led h is w i fe tho ugh s he w as n ot m u c h

,

past t w enty h ad d o w n boi l i n g i n th e pot o ver the re : h e

,

th ough t o f t he net w h ic h h e h ad set i n th e ri ver bu t as i t ,

h ad b ee n t h ere o nl y a sh ort ti m e th e ch ances w ere agai n s t ,

h is n d i n g a s h i n i t No m atter th ou gh t D e r m o d
.
, ,

there can b e n o h ar m i n steppi n g d o w n to try an d m ay ,

be as I w an t th e sh fo r th e pries t s s u p p e r , that o ne w i ll

be there before m e .
 28 T HE P R I E S T S S UPP E R

.

Dow n to th e r iv er side w en t D e r m o d, an d h e fo u n d in
-

t h e n e t as n e a sal m o n as e ver j u m ped i n th e bri gh t w ater s

of th e spread i n g L e e ; but as h e w as go i n g to take i t
o u t the n et w as pul led fro m h i m h e co ul d n ot tel l h o w o r
, ,

by w h o m an d a w ay go t th e sal m o n , an d w e n t s w i m m i n g
,

al o n g w i th th e curre n t as gai l y as i f n oth i n g h ad h appen ed .

D e r m o d looked sorro w ful ly at th e w ak e w h i c h the s h

h ad left U po n th e w ater sh i n i n g l i ke a l i n e o f Si l ver i n th e
,

m oo nl i gh t a n d the n w ith an an gr y m oti o n o f h i s ri gh t

, ,

h and an d a sta m p o f h is foot gav e v e n t to h i s feel i n gs b y

, ,

m u tteri n g ,M ay b itter bad l u ck atten d y o u n i gh t an d d ay

f o r a blackguard sch e m er o f a sal m o n w herever y o u go ! ,

Y o u o ugh t to be ash a m ed of yoursel f i f there s any s h a m e ,

i n y o u to gi ve m e th e Sl i p aft er th is fa s h i o n ! A nd I m

cl ear i n m y o w n m i n d yo u l l co m e to n o good for so m e

k i n d o f e v i l th i n g o r o ther h el ped y o u d i d I n ot feel i t

,

u l l th e n et agai n st m e as stro n g as th e d ev i l h i m sel f ?
p

T hat s n ot tru e for y o u sai d o n e o f th e l ittl e fa iri e s ,
,

w h o h ad sca m pere d O ff at the approac h o f th e pri est co m i n g ,

U p to D e r m o d L eary w i th a w h ohe th ron g o f co m pa n i o n s

,

a h i s h eel s ;
t
there w as o n l y a d oze n an d a h al f o f u s p u l l

i n g agai n st y o u .

D e r m o d gazed o n t h e ti n y S peaker w i th w o n der w h o ,

c o n ti n ued : Mak e you rself n o w ays u n easy abo u t t h e

riest s supper f i f i l l go back a n d ask h i m

p ; o r
y o u w o ne

q uesti o n fro m u s there w i l l be as n e a su pper as ever w as

,

u t o n a tab l e Spread o u t before h i m i n l ess t ha n n o ti m e
p .

I l l h ave n oth i n g at all to d o w ith y o u

repl ied D e r m o d
, ,

i n a to ne o f d eter m i n ati o n ; a nd after a pause h e added I m ,

m u c h obl i ged to y o u for you r o e r s ir bu t I k n o w better , ,

t h a n t o sel l m yself t o y o u o r th e l i ke o f y o u fo r a supper ;

an d m or e th a n th at I k n o w Fath er H orri ga n h as m ore
,

r egard for m ou l than to ish m e to pl ed ge i t for e v er

y s w

o u co ul d pu t before h i m SO
,

o u t o f regard to an y th i n g
y

there s a n e n d of th e m atter .

T he l it tle speaker w i th a perti n ac i ty n o t t o be repu l sed

,

by D e r m
o d s m a n n er co nti n u ed ,
,

Wi ll y o u ask th e priest

o n e c i v i l q uesti o n for U S ?

D e r m o d co n s idered for so m e ti m e a n d h e w as ri gh t i n ,

d o i n g s o b u t h e th ou gh t that n o o n e cou l d co m e to h ar m
,

o ut o f ask i n g a c i v i l q u esti o n I s e e n o objecti o n to d o

.
 R
THE P I E S T S

SUPPE R . 29

th at s am e , sai d D e r mo d ; B u t I w ill h av e
ge n tle m en ,

n oth i n g i n l ife to d o w ith your supper m i n d th at ,
-
.

Then sai d the l ittl e Speak i n g fairy w h i lst th e rest

, ,

ca m e cro w d i n g after h i m fro m al l parts go an d ask Fath er

W
,

H orri gan to tell u s w h eth er our souls w i l l be saved at th e

l ast d ay l ik e th e sou l s o f good C h ristia ns ; an d i f you w i sh
,

u s w ell bri n g back w ord w h at h e says w i th ou t delay

, .

A w ay w e nt D e r m o d to h i s cab i n w here h e fou n d th e ,

potatoes thro w n o u t o n the tabl e an d h is good w i fe h and i n g ,

th e b i ggest o f th e m al l a beautifu l lau gh i n g red app le

, ,
S m ok i n g l ike a h ard r idden h orse o n a frosty n i gh t, o v er
-

to Father H orri gan .

Pl ease you r re v ere n ce sai d D e r m o d after s o m e h e

, ,

s itat io n ,
ma
y I m ake h o l d t o as k
y our h on ou r o n e ques

ti o n ?

Wh at m a
y th at be ? said Father H orr i gan .

hy then beggi n g you r revere n ce s pardo n for m y

, ,

freedo m i t i s i f the sou l s o f the good peopl e are to b e sa v ed

, ,

at th e l ast day ?

Wh o b i d o u ask m e th at questio n L ear ? sai d t h
y y e ,

priest x i n g h i s eyes U po n hi m v ery ster n l y , w h i c h D e r

,

m o d coul d n ot stan d before at al l .

I l l tel l n o l ies abo u t the m atter a n d n oth i n g i n

l ife ,

b ut the truth sai d D e r m o d ,

It w as th e good peopl e
.

th e m sel ves w ho sen t m e to ask th e qu estio n an d there ,

they are i n th ousands do w n o n th e b an k o f th e r i v er w aitin g

f o r m e to go back w ith the ans w er .

Go back by al l m eans sai d th e pri est a n d tel l th e m
,

, ,

i f th ey w an t to k n o w to c o m e h ere to m e the m sel ves a n d

, ,

I l l an s w er th at o r an y other q uesti on t hey are pl eased to

ask w i th th e greatest pleasure i n l ife
,
.

D e r m o d accord i n gly retur ned to th e fai ries w h o ca m e ,

s w ar m i n g rou n d abou t h im to h ear w h at the priest h ad

sai d i n repl y ; an d D e r m o d Spoke ou t a m o n g th e m l i ke a
bol d m an as h e w as : b ut w h e n they h eard that they m ust go
to the priest a w ay they ed so m e h ere a nd m ore th ere ; an d
, ,

s o m e t h i s w ay a n d m ore t h at w h i ski n g by poor D e r m o d

,

s o fast an d i n su ch n u m bers t h at h e w as q u i te be w i ldered

, .

W he n he ca m e to h i m sel f, w h i ch w as n ot for a l on g ti m e ,
back b e w en t to hi s cabi n an d ate h i s d r y potatoes al on g
.

w i th Father H orri a n , w h o m ade qu ite l i gh t o f th e th i n g ;

g
3 %
 30 THE B RE W
E R Y 0 F E GG - H E S LL S
b u t D e r mo d co ul d n o t hel p th i n k i n g i t a m i ght y h ard c a s e
th at h i s reveren ce , w h ose w ord s h ad th e po w er t o ban i s h
th e fairies at su ch a rate sh oul d h ave n o sort o f rel i sh t o
,
.

h is Supper an d th at th e n e sal m o n h e h ad i n th e n e t sh o u l d
,

h a v e bee n got a w ay fro m h i m i n s u c h a m a n ner .

w
I T m ay be
h at i s m ean t
BRE WE R Y O F E GG
THE

V .
-
S H E LL S

co n sid ered i m perti ne n t w ere I to ex pl ai n ,

by a C h an gel i n g ; both Sh ak s p e ar e a n d Sp e n
s e r h ave al ready d o n e s o a n d w h o i s there u nacquai n ted
,
.

th e M id su m m er Ni gh t s D rea m
"
w ith an d th e Fairy

-

(Q u e e n PT
N o w M rs . S u ll i v an fan cied th at h er you n ge st ch il d h ad


bee n c h an ged by fai r ies theft to u se S pe n ser s w ord s
,

,

a n d certai nly appearan ces w arran ted s uch a co n cl usi o n ; for

i n o n e n i gh t her h eal th y bl ue eyed boy h ad beco m e sh ri
,
-

v e l le d U p i n to al m ost n oth i n g an d n ever ceased s qu al l i n g

,

an d cr y i n g . T h is n atural ly m ad e poor M rs S ul l i va n very .

u nhappy ; an d al l the n ei gh bou rs by w ay o f co m forti n g h er

, ,

s aid , th at h e r o w n ch il d w as, be y o n d an y k i n d o f d o u bt,

Act u . se . 1 .

1 Boo ki . c anto 10
.
w

p u
I T HE BR E

i th th e go od peopl e , an d th a t o n e o f th e mse l v e s had bee n

t i n h is p l ace

.
.

M rs S u ll ivan o f course coul d n o t d isbe l i eve w h at e v er y

,

o n e to l d h er bu t Sh e d id n o t w i sh t o h u rt t h e t h i n g ; for
W E R

,
Y o r E GG -
S HE LL S . 31

al th ou g h its face w as s o w ith ered an d i ts bod y w asted ,

aw ay to a m ere skel eton i t h ad stil l a stron g rese m blan ce ,

t o h er o w n boy ; s h e th erefore cou l d n o t n d i t i n her , ,

h eart to roast i t al i ve o n t h e griddle o r to burn i ts n ose ,

o ff w i th th e red h o t to n gs o r to th ro w i t o u t i n th e s no w
-
,

o n th e road si de n ot w i th stand i n g these an d several l i ke

-
, ,

proceed i n gs w ere stron gly reco m m e n de d t o h er f o r th e

,

r ecovery o f h er c h il d .

O n e day w h o sh ou l d M rs S u l l i va n m ee t b u t a cu n n i n g .

w o m an w el l k n o w n abou t th e c ou n try by th e n a m e o f
,

E lle n L eah (o r Gra y E llen ) S he h ad th e gift h o w ever .

,

S h e got it of tell i n g w here th e d ead w ere a n d w h at w as

, ,

good for the rest o f thei r soul s ; an d coul d char m a w a y

w arts a n d w e ns an d d o a great m any w o n derful th i n gs o f
,

t he sa m e n ature .

Yo u re i n grief t h i s m orn i n g , M r s S ul li v an , w e r e th e

.

rst w ords o f E lle n L eah to h er .

Y ou
m ya s ay that E ll en
sai d M r s S ul l i v a
,n ,
a n d , .

good cause I h ave to be i n grief for th ere w as m y o w n n e ,

ch i l d w h ipped o ff fro m m e o u t o f h i s cradle, w i th o ut as

m uch as by yo u r leave o r ask yo ur pard o n an d a n U gl y , ,

d on y b it o f a Shri vel led U p fai ry p u t i n h i s pl ace : n o -

w on der th e n th at y o u s e e m e i n grief E ll en ,
.

S
m al l bl a m e to y o u M rs S ul l i v an sai d E lle n L e ah ;
,
.
,

b u t are you sure ti s a fai ry ?

S u re ! ech oed M r s
S ull i v a n , sure e n ou gh am I t o .

m y sorro w an d can I dou bt m y o w n t w o e y es ? E v ery

,

m other s sou l m u st feel for m e !

o u take an o l d w o m a n s ad vi ce ?

Will
y sai d E l le n

L eah x i n g her w i l d an d m ysteriou s gaze U po n th e u n

,

h appy m other ; an d after a pau se Sh e ad ded , ,

b ut m ay ,

be yo u ll cal l i t fool ish ?

Can yo u get m e back m

y ch il d m y o w n ch ild E l len ?
, ,

s ai d M r s S ul li v a n w it h great en ergy
. .

If
y o u d o as I b i d y o u returned E lle n L eah yo u l l , ,

k n ow
. M r s S ul l i va n w as Si len t i n expectatio n , an d E l le n
.

c o n ti n u ed
P u t do w n the b i g p o t, fu l l o f w at er , o n th e
.
32 THE BRE W E

re an d m ak e i t b oi l l ike m ad ; th e n ge t a d o z e n n e w l ai d
,

e ggs break th e m an d keep th e sh el ls but th ro w a w a y th e

, ,
R

r est ; w h e n that i s d o n e pu t th e sh el l s i n th e pot o f bo i l i n g

,
Y or EG G -
SHE

,
LL S .

w ater a n d o u w i l l soo n k n o w w h ether i t i s y ou r o w n

y
,

b o y o r a fai ry If y o u n d th at i t i s a fai ry i n th e cradle ,

.

t ak e the red h ot poker an d cra m i t d o w n h i s u gl y th roat ,

-

an d y o u w il l n ot h a v e m u ch trou bl e w i th h i m after that ,

I p ro m i se y o u .

H o m e w e nt M r s S ul l i v a n , a n d d i d as E lle n L eah d e
.

s ired S he p u t the pot i n th e re an d pl e n ty o f tu rf u nd er

.
,

i t an d s e t the w ater b oil i n g at su c h a rate th at i f e v e r

w ater w as red h o t i t surel y w as
,

Th e ch i l d w as ly i n g f o r a w o n der qu i te e asy an d q u ie t
i n t he cradl e e v ery n o w a n d the n co c k i n g h is eye , th at
,

w oul d t w i n kl e as kee n as a star I n a frost y n i gh t o ver at ,

th e great re a n d th e b i g p o t U po n i t ; a n d h e l ook ed o n
,

w i th great atten ti o n at M rs S ul l i va n break i n g t he eggs .

,

an d pu tti n g d o w n t h e egg sh el l s t o boi l A t l ast h e ask ed

-
.
,

w i th the vo i ce o f a v er o l d m an ,
y Wh at are y o u d o i n g ,

mammy ?
M r s S u l l i v a n s h e art as Sh e sa id h erse l f w as u p i n h e r
.

, , ,

m out h ready to c h oke h er at heari n g t he ch i l d speak , .

B u t s h e co ntri ved to pu t th e poker l n th e re an d to an ,

s w er w i thou t m ak i n g an
, y w on der at th e w ords I m ,

bre w i n g a nick (m y s o n )
,
.

w i n g ma m my?
A nd
w h at are o u bre sai d the l i ttl e
y ,

im p w h ose su pern atu ral gi ft o f Speech n o w pro ved beyon d

,

questi o n that h e w as a fa iry s u bsti t ute .

1 w i sh the poker w as r e d , thou g h t M r s S ull i van ; b u t

.

i t w as a large o n e a n d took a l o n g ti m e b e at in g : s o She

.
,

d eter m i n ed to keep h i m i n talk u n ti l the poker w as i n a

proper state to th rust d o w n h i s th ro at , a nd th erefore r e
e ate d th e q u esti o n
p .

Is i t w h at I m bre w i n g a nick, s ai d s h e y o u w a n t

, ,

to k n o w ?


Yes m a m my : w h at are y o u bre w i n g ? retu r n ed th e
,

E gg sh el ls , a r ich, sai d
-
M rs S ul l i v a n . .

O h ! sh r ieked the i m p ,st arti n g U p i n th e p r ad le an d ,

cl appi n g h i s h an d s togeth er I m ftee n h u ndred years i n ,

th e w orld , an d I n e v er s aw a bre w ery o f e gg shel ls befor e ! -
 T HE B RE W
E RY S
o r E GG - H E LL S 33

W
.

Th e poker w as by th i s ti m e q u ite r e d a n d M r s S u ll iva n

, .

seizi n g i t ran furi ou sly to w ards th e cradle ; b u t so m eh o w

,

o r other her foot Sl ipped an d s h e fel l at o n th e oor an d

, ,

the poker e w o u t o f h er h an d to the other e nd o f t he

h ouse H o w ever s h e got U p w ith ou t m u c h l oss o f ti m e ,
.
, ,

an d w e nt to th e cradle i nten d i n g to pi tc h the w i cked th i n g

th at w as i n i t i nto th e pot o f boi l i n g w ate r w he n th ere She
,

s aw her o w n ch ild i n a s w eet Sl eep o ne o f h is soft rou n d

,

ar m s rested U pon the pi ll o w h is featu res w ere as placi d

as if thei r repose h ad n ever b e e n d isturbed save th e ros y ,

m outh w h i c h m oved w i th a gen tle an d regu l ar breat h i n g .

h o c an tel l t h e feel i n gs o f a m other w h en Sh e l ooks

U pon h er Sleepi n g ch il d ? Why Sh ou l d I therefore e n de a
, ,

v ou r t o descri b e th ose o f M rs S ul l i van at agai n beh old i n g

.

h er l o ng l ost boy
- ?
The fou n tai n o f h er h eart o v e r o w e d
w ith th e excess o f j oy and s h e w ept ! tears trickl ed
S ile ntly do w n h er ch eeks n or d i d Sh e stri v e to check the m
they w ere tears n o t o f Sorro w , b u t o f h appi n ess
,

.
 L E G E N D O F B O TT L E H I LL .

V I .

C o me l i s ten t o a tale o f t i mes of o ld

l i sten to
,

C o me me

I t w as i n th e good d ay s w h en th e l i ttl e peop le m os t , ,

i m pud e n tl y cal led fai ri es w ere m ore frequ en tly see n th a n

,

they are i n th ese u n bel ie v i n g ti m es th at a far m er n a m e d , ,

M i ck P urcel l re nted a f e w acres o f barre n grou n d i n th e

,

n ei gh bou rh ood of the o n c e celebrated preceptory o f Mou rn e

,
s i tu ated abou t th ree m i les fro m M al lo w an d th i rtee n fro m ,

th e beau ti fu l ci ty cal led C ork M i ck h ad a w i fe a n d .

W
f a m i ly : th ey al l d i d w h at th ey cou ld a n d that w as but l ittl e , ,

f o r th e poor m an h ad n o ch i ld gro w n u p b i g en ou gh to h el p
h i m i n h i s w ork : an d al l th e poo r w o m a n co ul d d o w as t o
m i n d th e ch i l d re n an d t o m il k th e o n e c o w a n d t o bo i l
, ,

th e potatoes a n d to carry th e eggs t o m arket t o M al lo w ;

,

b u t w i th al l they cou l d d o t w as h ard en ou gh o n the m t o,

pay th e re n t Wel l th e y d id m an age i t for a good w h i le ;

.
,

b ut at l ast ca m e a bad y e ar an d th e l ittl e grai n o f oats w as

,

all Spo il ed an d th e ch i cken s d i ed o f th e pi p an d th e pi g

, ,

got th e m easl es s he w as sold i n M al l o w a n d brou gh t al

, ,

m ost n oth i n g ; a n d poo r M i ck fou n d th at h e h ad n t e n ou gh

t o h al f pay h i s re nt an d t w o gal es w ere d ue

, .

h y the n M ol ly ,
says h e w h at l l w e d o ?
, ,

Wi sha th en m av o u r n e n e w hat w oul d y o u d o b u t take

, , ,

th e c o w to th e fai r o f C ork an d sel l her ? says s h e ; an d

M o nda y i s fai r d ay an d s o yo u m u st go to m orro w , that

,
-

th e poor beast m ay be rested ag ain th e fai r .

A nd w
h at l l w e d o w h e n Sh e s gon e ? say s M i ck ,

sorro w ful l y .

Ne v er a k n o w I k n o w , M i ck ; b ut su re Go d w o n t /

l eave u s w ith o u t H im M i c k ; and y o u k n o w h o w good H e

,

w as to u s w h e n poor l ittl e B i l ly w as Si ck an d w e h ad ,

n oth i ng at all f o r h i m t o take , th at good d octor gen t le m a n

 L E G E ND or BOTT L E HIL L . 35

at B ally d ah in co m e ri d i n g a nd ask in g for a d ri n k o f m i l k ;

a nd h o w h e gave u s t w o Sh ill i n gs ; an d h o w h e sen t th e
th i ngs and bottles for the ch i ld an d gave m e m y breakfast ,

w he n I w ent over to ask a questio n so h e d id : an d h o w h e ,

ca m e to s e e B il ly a n d n ever left o ff h i s good ness ti l l h e

,

w as q u ite w el l ?
Oh
! yo u are al w ays th at w ay , Mol ly a n d I bel i e v e ,

o u are ri h t after al l s o I w o n t be sorry f o r sel l i n g the

y g ,

W
c o w ; bu t I l l go to m orro w an d yo u m ust p ut a n eedl e

,

an d thread thro ug h m y coat, for y o u k no w ti s ripped

u nder th e ar m .

M ol ly tol d hi m h e shou l d h ave every th i n g ri ght ; a n d

abou t t w el ve o cl ock n ex t d ay h e l eft h er getti n g a ch arg e

,

n o t to sel l h is c o w ex cept f o r th e h i gh est pe n ny M ick .

pro m i sed to m i n d i t a n d w e n t h i s w ay al on g th e road , .

H e drove h is c o w sl o w l y th rou gh the l ittl e s t rea m w h ic h

crosses i t a n d ru ns by the ol d w al ls of M o urn e A s he .

passed h e glan ced h i s eye upon the to w ers a n d o ne o f t he

o ld el der trees w h i c h w ere o nly th e n l ittle bits o f s w i tch es .

O h then if I o nly had h al f th e m one y that s buried i n

, ,

you t is n t dri v i n g th i s poor c o w I d be n o w !

,

hy then
, ,

i s n t i t to o bad that it s h o ul d b e there covered ov er w i t h

earth an d m any a o n e besides m e w anti n g ? Wel l i f i t i s

, ,

G od s w ill I l l h ave so m e m o ney m ysel f c o m i n g back

,

.

S o sayi n g h e m o ved o n after h is beast ; t w as a n e day

,

,

a n d the s u n sh o n e bri g htly o n th e w all s o f the O ld a b be y

a s h e passed u nder the m ; h e then crossed a n exte ns i ve
m o u n tai n tract a n d after S ix l on g m i l e s h e ca m e to th e top
,

of that h il l Bottle H il l tis cal led n o w b u t th at w as n ot

, .

the n a m e of i t the n a n d j ust there a m an o vertook hi m , .

Good m orro w says h e

Good m orro w k i ndly .
, , ,
says M i c k l ook i n g at t h e stran ger w h o w as a l ittl e m an
, , ,

yo u d al m ost cal l h i m a d w arf o nly h e w as n t qu ite s o

,

l ittl e ne ither : h e had a bi t o f an o l d w ri n k l ed yel l o w face , , ,

for al l t h e w orl d l ike a d ried cau l i o w er o n ly h e h ad a ,

Sharp l ittl e n ose a n d red eyes a n d w h ite h air an d h i s l ips

, , ,

w ere n ot red b ut al l h i s face w as o ne col ou r an d h i s eyes

, ,

n ever w ere qu iet but looki n g at e v er y th in g a n d al t h ou g h

, ,

they w ere red they m ade M i ck feel qu ite cold w h e n h e

,

l ooked at the m I n truth h e d id n ot m u ch l ike th e l ittle

.

m a n s co m pa ny ; an d h e coul d n t s e e o n e bi t o f h is legs

,
36 L E GE N D or BO T T L E H I LL .

no r h is b od y ; fo r , th ou gh the d ay w as w ar m, h e w as all
w rapped U p i n a bi g great coat M i ck d ro v e h i s c o w
-
.

so m eth i n g faster b u t th e l ittl e m an kept U p w i th hi m

, .

M i c k d id n t k n o w h o w h e w al ked for h e w as al m ost afrai d

,

to l ook at h i m a n d to cross h i m sel f fo r fe ar th e o ld m an

, ,

w o u l d be an gry Yet h e th ou gh t h is fello w travel ler d i d

.
-

W
n o t see m to w alk l i ke other m e n n or t o p u t o n e foot before ,

th e other b u t t o gl ide over th e ro u gh road , a n d rou gh

,

e n oug h i t w as l i ke a Sh ad o w w i th ou t n o rse a n d w ith ou t

, ,

e ff ort M ick s h eart tre m bled w ith i n h i m an d h e sai d a

.

,

prayer to h i m sel f w ish i n g h e h ad n t co m e o u t that d ay o r

,

,

th at h e w as o n fai r h i ll or th at h e h ad n t th e c o w to m i n d

th at h e m igh t ru n aw ay fro m the bad th i n g w h e n i n th e

, ,

m i d st o f h i s fears h e w as agai n add ressed by h i s co m pan i o n

, .

o u go i n g w i t h th e c o w
W here are h o nest m a n ?
y ,

To th e f ai r o f C ork t h en say s M i ck , tre m bl i n g at th e ,

s h ri l l an d pierc i n g to nes o f th e v oi ce .

A re o u goi n g to sel l h er ? sai d t h e stra n ger
y .

h y then , w h at else am 1 go i n g for b u t t o s e ll h er ?
,

W i ll y o u sel l h er t o m e ?

M ick started h e w as afrai d to h ave an y th i n g to d o w i th

th e l ittl e man an d h e w as m ore afra i d to s ay n o
,

Wh at l l y o u g i v e f o r h er ? at l ast says b e

.

I ll tel l
o u w h at I ll giv e y ou th i s bottl e , sai d th e

y ,

l ittl e o n e p u lli n g a bottl e fro m u n der his coat

, ,
.

M i c k l ooked at hi m a n d t h e b ottl e a nd i n sp i te o f h i s , ,

terror h e cou l d n o t h el p bu rsti n g i n to a l ou d t o f l au ghter

, .

L au g h i f y o u w ill sai d th e l i ttl e m an bu t I tel l y o u
, ,

th is bo ttl e i s better for y o u th an al l th e m on ey you w i l l

get for th e c o w i n C ork ay , th an te n th ou san d ti m es as

m u ch .

M i ck l au gh ed agai n Why th en s ays h e d o y o u
.

, ,

th i n k I am such a fool as to giv e m y g o od c o w for a bottl e

a n d a n e m pty on e too ? i n deed th en I w o n t ,

, ,

.

Y o u h ad better gi ve m e th e c o w , an d take th e bottl e

l n o t be sorry f o r i t

y o u l .

Wh y th e n an d w hat w oul d M ol l y s ay ? I d n ever h ea r

, ,

th e en d o f i t ; an d h o w w ou l d I p ay th e ren t ? a n d w h a t
w o ul d w e al l d o w ith o u t a pe n n y o f m one ?
y
o u th is b ottl e i s better to you th a n m one y ; tak e
I tel l
y
i t an d gi v e me t h e c o w I as k y o u f o r th e l as t ti m e , M i c k
'

.
,

P u rcell .
 L E G E ND or BOTT L E H I LL . 37

M i ck starte d .

H w d oes h e k n o w m
o y n a m e ?
th ou gh t h e .

The stran ger proceeded : M i ck P u r c e ll I k n o w y o u ,

,

an d I h ave regard for you ; th e r efore d o as I w a r n y o u o r ,

y o u ma
y b e sorry for it H o w do
.
y o u k n o w but you r c o w

w i l l d ie before yo u get to C ork ?

M i ck w as goi n g to say God forbi d ! but th e l ittl e ma n
w ent o n an d h e w as too atte nti ve to s ay an y th i n g to s t 0p
(
h i m ; fo r M i ck w as a very c i vi l m an an d h e k n e w bette r ,

th an to i nterru pt a g e ntle m an an d that s w h at m an y peop le, ,

that h old thei r h ea d s h i g her d o n t m i nd n o w ) ,

A n d h o w d o y ou k n o w but th ere w i l l be m u ch cattl e

W
at the fai r a n d yo u w ill ge t a bad pri ce o r m ay be y o u
,
'

m i g h t be ro bbed w h e n y ou are co m i n g h o m e ? bu t w hat

n ee d I tal k m ore to y o u w he n yo u are d eter m i ned to th ro w
a w ay your l u ck M i ck Purcel l ?
,

n o I oul d th ro w a w ay m l u ck s ir sai d

O h ! ,
w n o t y , ,

M ick ; and i f I w as s ure th e bottl e w as as good as you s ay ,

th ou gh I never l i ke d a n e m pty b ottl e al th oug h I h ad d ran k ,

w h at w as i n i t I d gi ve yo u the c o w 1 n t h e n a m e

,

Never
m i n d n a m es sa i d th e stranger
,
but gi ve m e ,

the c o w ; I w oul d n ot tel l y o u a h e H ere take t h e bot tl e .

,

a nd w he n y ou go h o m e d o w h at 1 d irect exactly 2 .

M i c k h esitated .

e l l t hen good by I c an stay n o l on ger : o n ce m ore

, , ,

t ake i t and be ri c h ; refuse it a n d beg for you r l ife a n d s e e

, , ,

your c h i l d re n i n poverty a nd yo ur w ife dy i n g f o r w an t :

,

that w i l l h appen to y o u M i ck P urcell ! said th e l ittl e m an
,

w i t if aa n al ic io us gri n w h i ch m ade h i m l ook ten t i mes m ore

,

u gly t h a n ever .

M ay be ti s true s ai d M i ck stil l h esitati n g : h e d id

, ,

n o t k n o w w hat to d o h e cou l d h ard ly hel p bel iev i n g th e

o l d m an a nd at len gth i n a t o f d espera t i o n b e seized the
,

b ottl e T ake the c o w sai d he an d i f you are te l li n g a
, ,

l ie the curse o f th e poor w i l l be o n y o u
,
.

I care n e ither for you r curses n or y ou r bless i n gs b u t ,

I h ave spoke n truth M i c k P u rcell an d that y o u w i l l n d

, ,

to n i ght i f you d o w h at I tel l y o u
-
, .

n d w hat s that ? sa y s M i ck
A
.

Wh e n y o u go h o m e , n e v e r m i n d i f y o u r w i fe is an gr y ,
,

b u t be qu i et y o u rsel f, an d make he r s w eep t h e r oo m c lea n,

4
38 L E G E ND O F BOTT L E H I LL .

se t th e t ab l e o u t ri ght and Spread a c lean cl oth Over i t ; th e n

,

pu t th e bottle o n t h e grou n d sayi n g th ese w ords : B ottl e ,

,

d o you r d uty an d y o u w i l l s e e th e e n d o f i t
,

.

A n d i s th i s al l ? says M i ck .

N o m ore sai d the stran ger Good by M i ck P urcel l
y o u ar e a r ic h m an
.
, ,

.

G o d gra n t i t ! sai d M i ck as th e o ld m an m o ved after

,

th e c o w an d M ick retraced th e road to w ard s h is ca b i n ; b u t

,

h e cou l d n o t h el p t urn i n g back h i s h ead t o l ook after th e ,

pu r ch aser o f h i s c o w w h o w as n o w h ere to be see n

, .

L ord bet w ee n u s a n d h ar m ! s ai d M i ck :
H e c an t

b e lOn g to th is earth ; bu t w h ere i s th e c o w ? S h e t o o w as
go ne a n d M i c k w e n t h o m e w ard m utteri n g pray ers an d
, ,

h ol d i n g fast the b ottl e .

W
A n d w hat w oul d I d o i f i t broke th ou gh t h e Oh !
? .

b u t I l l tak e care o f th at ; S O h e pu t i t i n to h i s boso m a n d

,

w e nt o n a nx i ou s t o pro ve h is bo ttle , a n d d o u bti n g o f t h e

r ecepti o n h e sh o u l d m eet fro m h i s w i fe ; bal a n c i n g h is

an x ie ti e s w i th h i s expectatio ns h i s fears w i th h is h opes , ,

h e reached h o m e i n t he e ve n i n g a n d s u rpr ised h is w ife , ,

S i tti n g o ver th e tu rf re i n th e bi g c h i m n e y .

O h ! h I ic k ar e y o u Co m e back ! S u r e y o u w e r u t at
,

C ork all th e w ay ! Wh at h as h appe n ed to y o u ? Wh e r e

W
i s the c o ? Dw id y o u sel l h er ? H o w m u c h m o ney d i d
you get f o r h er ? Wh at n e w s h a v e y o u ? Tel l u s every

t h i n g ab ou t i t .

h y the n M olly i f yo u l l g i v e m e ti m e I ll tel l y o u

, , ,

all abo u t i t I f y o u w an t to k n o w w h ere th e c o w i s t is n t

.
,

M ic k can tel l y o u fo r th e n ever a k n o w d oes h k o w

.
i

w h ere sh e i s n o w .

O h ! th e n y o u sol d h er ; a n d w h ere s th e m o n ey
,
?

A rrah ! stop a w h i le M oll y an d I l l t e l l y o u al l abou t

, ,

it .

?
B ut w ha t i s t h at b ottl e u n de r y o u r w ai stcoat sa i d

M ol l y sp y i n g its n eck sti ck in g o u t

, .

h y th en b e easy n o w ca n t y o u
, , says M i ck til l

,

, ,

I tel l i t to yo u ? an d putti n g th e b ottle o n the table , Th at :

all I o t f o r th e c o w
g .

H is poor w i fe w as th u n derstruck A ll y o u go t ! an d
'

w h at good is th at M i ck ? O h ! I n e v er th o u gh t y o u w e r e

s u ch a fool ; an d w h at ll w e d o for th e re nt , an d w h at
w
 L E G E ND or B OTT LE H I LL . 39

N ow , M ol ly says M ick can t y o u h e arke n to
, ,

reason ? D id n t I tel l you h o w th e o ld m an o r w hat s o m

,

e ve r he w as m e t m e no h e d i d n ot m eet m e n either ,

bu t h e w as t here w ith m e o u th e b i g h i ll an d h o w h e
, , ,

m a d e m e sel l hi m th e c o w an d tol d m e the b ottle w as th e ,

o n l y th i n g for m e ?

Yes i nd eed
,
t he o n ly th i n g f o r y o u y o u fool !
,
sai d ,

lVIo lly se izi n g th e bottl e to h url i t at h er p o o r h usban d s
,

h ead ; but M ick cau gh t i t an d qu ietly (for he m i n ded th e ,

O ld m a n s ad vice l oose ned h i s w ife s grasp an d placed th e

) ,

b ottl e agai n i n h is boso m Poor M olly sat d o w n cry i n g .

,

w h i le M i ck tol d h is stor w ith m an y a crossi n g an d

y ,

b lessi n g bet w e e n h im a nd h ar m H is w i fe co ul d n o t hel p .

bel i evi n g h im parti cularly as s he h ad as m u c h faith i n

,

fai ries as she h ad i n th e priest w h o i ndeed n ever d iscou ,

raged h er bel ief i n the fai rie s ; m ay be h e d id n t k n o w S h e ,

bel ieved in the m a n d m ay be h e bel ieved i n the m h i m sel f

, ,
.

S h e got U p h o w ever w i thou t sayi n g o n e w ord a nd bega n

, , ,

t o S w eep the earth e n oor w ith a b u n c h of h eath ; th e n s he

ti d ied u p every th i n g an d pu t o u t t h e l on g table an d spread
, ,

the clea n cl oth for Sh e had o nl y o n e U po n it an d M i ck

, , , ,

pl ac i n g the bottle o n the gro u nd l ooked at i t an d said , ,

Bottle d o you r d uty
, .

L ook there ! l ook th ere m a m m y !
sai d h i s ch ub by

,

W
el dest son a b o y abou t ve years o l d
,
l ook th ere ! l ook

there ! a n d h e spran g to h is m oth er s si de as t w o t in y
,

l i ttle fel lo w s rose l ike l i gh t fro m the bottle an d i n an ,

i n s tan t c overed th e tabl e w ith d ishes an d plates o f gol d an d
s i l ver fu l l o f the n e st v i ctu al s th at ever w ere see n and
, ,

w h e n all w as d o n e w en t i nto th e bott le agai n M ick an d .

h is w i fe loo k ed at e very th i n g w ith asto n i sh m en t ; th ey h ad

n ever see n su c h plates a nd d ishes before a n d d id n t t h i n k

,
,

they co ul d e ver ad m i re t h e m e nou gh ; th e very Sigh t al most

took a ay thei r appeti tes ; but at l ength M ol ly said C o m e
w
,

a n d Sit d o w n M ick an d try a n d eat a b i t ! sure y o u ough t

, ,

t o be h u n gry after su c h a good day s w ork

.

h y t he n the m an told n o l ie abou t t h e bottle
, , .

M ic k sat do w n after putti n g th e ch i ldre n to th e ta bl e ;

,

an d they m a d e a hearty m eal th ou gh they cou ld n t t ast e

,

h al f the d ish es .

N
ow sa gs Mol l y I w on der w i l l those t w o good l i ttl e
, ,
 4O L E G E N D O F B O TT L E H I LL .

ge n tle m e n carry a w ay th ese n e th i n gs agai n ? Th e y
w ai te d b u t n o o n e ca m e ; s o M ol l y pu t u t h e d i sh es a n d
, p
plates very careful ly say i n g Why th en M i ck t hat w as , , , , ,

n o l i e sure e n ou g h ; bu t o u l l be a r i c h m an e t M i ck
y y ,

Pu rcel l .

M ic k an d h i s w i fe an d ch i ldre n w e n t to th ei r bed n ot to ,

S leep b u t to settl e abou t sel l i n g th e n e th i ngs th ey d i d nOt

,

w a n t a n d to take m ore la n d
, M i ck w e n t t o C ork a n d sol d
.

h i s pl ate an d bo u gh t a h o rse a n d cart an d bega n to Sh ow

, ,

th at h e w as m ak i n g m on ey ; a n d th ey d i d al l they cou l d t o
k eep th e bottl e a secret ; b u t for al l th at the i r l and l ord ,

fo u n d i t Ou t fo r h e ca m e to M i ck o n e d ay an d asked h i m
o t al l h i s m o n ey su re i t w as n o t by th e far m ;
,

w h re h e
e g
an d b e both ered h im s o m u ch t hat at last M i c k tol d h im ,

o f the bottl e H is la ndl ord Oe r e d h i m a d eal o f m o ne y

.

f o r i t ; b u t M i ck w o u l d n o t gi ve i t ti l l at last h e o ff e r e d to

W
gi ve h i m al l his far m f o r e ver : s o M i ck w h o w as ve ry r i ch ,

th ough t h e d n e v er w an t a ny m ore m o ney a n d gav e h i m

,

th e bottl e : but M i ck w as m i staken he an d h is fa m i l y

S pe n t m o ney as i f the r e w as n o e n d o f it ; and to m ake th e ,

s to r sh ort th ey beca e poorer an d poorer til l at l ast h

y , m t e
y ,

h ad n o th i n g left bu t o n e c o w ; a n d M i c k o n ce m ore d r o ve
h is c o w b efore h im to sel l her at C ork fai r h O p i n g t o me e t ,

t h e o ld m an an d get an ot h er bo t tle It w as h ard ly d ay .

b reak w h e n he l eft ho m e an d h e w al k e d o n at a good p a

W
,
ce
t i l l h e reach ed th e b i g h i ll : t he m ists w ere sl eepi n g i n t he
v al l e y s an d cu r l i n g l i ke s m ok e w reath s u p o n th e b r d ri -

h eath ar o u nd h i m T h e s u n rose o n h is l eft an d

.
,

his fee t a l ark S p r an g f ro m i ts grassy co u ch an d

f o r th i ts j o y ou s m ati n s o n g asce nd i n g i n to th e clear bl u e ,

s k y.
i
T ll its f o r m l ik e a s pe c ki n t he a ii r ne s s b le n d i n
g
A n d t h r il l i n
g w i th m i
u s c , w as me l t i ng in l ght i .

M i ck crossed h i ms el f l isten i n g as b e ad va n ced to th e
-

s w eet so n g o f the l ark bu t th i nk i n g n ot w it h s tan d i n g all

, , ,

t h e ti m e o f th e l i ttl e Ol d m an ; w h e n j u s t as h e reach ed t he

s u m m i t o f th e h i l l a n d c ast h is eyes o v er th e exte n si ve

,

p rospect before an d aro u n d h i m h e w as s tartl ed an d r e ,

j o ice d by t he sa m e w el l k n o w n v o ice : e ll , M-ic k

P u r c ell, I t o l d y o u , y o u w oul d be a r i ch man .
 L E GE ND OF B OTT L E H I LL . 41

I ndeed th e n sure en o u gh I w as th at s n o l ie fo r y o u ,
, , ,

Sir G ood m orn i n g to y o u bu t i t i s n o t ri ch I am n o w

.
,

b u t have y o u a n oth er bot t l e for I w ant i t n o w as m u ch as ,

1 d id l on g ago ; s o i f you h ave it si r h ere i s th e c o w f o r it , ,
.

A n d here i s th e bottle sai d th e O ld m an s m il i n g

, ; ,

o u k n o w w hat to d o w i th i t
y .

O h ! the n sure I d o as good ri gh t I h ave
, ,
.

Well fare w e l l for ever M i ck P urcel l : I told y o u, y o u

, ,

w oul d be a ri ch m an .

A n d good bye t o y ou s i r sai d M i ck as h e turne d

, , ,

back ; an d goo d l u ck to y o u an d good l u ck to th e b i g

,

h il l it w an ts a n a m e Bottle H i l l G ood b y e s i r goo d .

, ,

bye ; s o M i ck w al ked back as fast as h e coul d n ever l ook ,

i n g after th e w h ite faced l ittl e gen tle m an an d th e c o w s o

-
,

a n xi o u s w as h e to bri n g h o m e t h e b ottle Wel l h e arr i ved .

,

w ith i t safely en ough a n d cal led o u t as soo n as h e s aw , ,

M ol ly ,
O h ! sure I ve an other bottle !
,

A rrah ! the n h ave y o u ? w h y the n y o u re a l u ck y m an ,

, ,

M i ck Purcel l th at s w h at y o u are,

.

I n a n i n sta nt s h e p u t e very th i n g r i gh t ; a n d M i ck ,

l ooki n g at h i s bottl e ex ul ti n gly cried o u t ,Bottl e d o y o ur , ,

d u ty . I n a t w i n kl i n g t w o great stou t m e n w ith b i g ,

c ud gel s i ssued fro m th e bottl e (I d o n o t k n o w h o w th ey

got roo m i n it ) and belaboured poor M i ck an d h i s w i fe
,

a nd al l h i s fa m i ly ti l l they lay o n th e oor w h e n i n th ey

, ,

w e n t agai n M ick as soo n as h e recovered got U p an d

.
, ,

l ooked about h i m ; he th ough t an d thou gh t an d at last h e ,

took U p h is w i fe a nd h i s ch i ld re n ; an d l eav i n g the m to ,

recover as w el l as t h ey cou ld h e took the b ottl e u n der h i s ,

c oat an d w en t to his l an d l ord w h o h ad a great co m pany :

, ,

h e go t a servan t to tel l h im h e w anted to speak t o h i m ,

a nd at last h e ca m e o u t to M i ck
\
.

V el l w h at d o y o u w a nt n o w ?
,


Noth in g si r o n ly I h ave an o ther b ottl e
, , .

O h ! h o ! i s i t as good as th e rst ?

Yes s i r an d bette r ; i f y o u l ike I w il l Sh o w i t to y o u
, , ,

before al l the l ad ies an d ge ntle m en .

Co m e alo n g th en SO say i n g M ick w as bro u gh t
, .
,

i nto th e great hall w here h e s aw h is o ld bottle sta n d i n g

,

h igh U p o n a Shel f :
A h ! ha ! say s h e to h i m se l f, m ay


be I w o n t have y o u b y an d by .

916
4
 42 LE GE N D O F BOTT LE H IL L .

N ow
l h is
a d l ord S h o U S o r b ottl e
'

,
s ay s n , w y u .

M i ck s e t it o n the oor , an d u ttered th e w ord s ; i n a mo

m e n t the l and lord w as t u m bled o n th e oor ; lad ies an d

e n , ser v an ts an d al l , w ere ru n n i n g an d roari n g an d

g e n t l e m ,

s pra w l i n g , an d k i c k i n g an d shr iek i n g W i ne OUp s a n d

.

s al vers w ere k nocked abo u t i n every d i recti o n u nti l t h e ,

l and l ord cal led o u t S top th ose t w o de v i l s, M i ck P urcel l ,

,

o r I l l h ave y o u h an ged !

Th ey n e v er sh al l stop sai d M i ck ti l l I ge t m
, , y o w n
b o ttl e th at I s e e u p there at top o f th at sh el f
.

G i v e i t d o w n t o h i m gi ve i t d o w n t o h i m before w e
, ,

are al l k i ll ed ! says th e l an d lord .

M i ck pu t th e b ottl e i n h is boso m ; i n j u m ped th e

t w o m e n i n to th e n e w b ottl e an d h e carri ed t he bottles
,

h o m e I n ee d n ot le n gth e n m y story by tel l in g h o w h e

.

o t ri ch er tha n ever h o w h i s s o n m arried his la ndlord s

g ,

o n ly d au gh ter h o w h e an d h i s w i fe d ied w h en th ey w ere

,

v ery Ol d a n d h o w so m e o f th e ser vants gh ti n g at th e i r

, ,

w ake broke th e bottl es ; bu t stil l th e h il l has th e na m e

,

U po n i t ; ay a n d so t w i l l be al w ays B ottl e H i l l to th e e n d
,

o f the w or ld , an d s o i t O ugh t , f o r i t i s a stran ge

 TH E

C O N FE SS I O N S OF T O M B O UR K E .

V II .

TOM B O U R K E l i ves i n a lo w lon g far m h ou se rese m bl i n g -

,

i n out w ard appeara nce a l arge barn pl aced at th e botto m ,

o f th e h ill j u s t w h ere th e n e w road stri kes o ff fro m th e Ol d

,

o n e l ead i n g fro m th e to w n o f K i l w orth to th at o f L is m ore

, .

H e i s o f a cl ass o f perso n s w h o are a sort o f bl ack s w an s

i n Irel and ; h e i s a w eal th y far m er To m s father h ad i n
.

,

th e good ol d ti m es, w h e n a h u nd red p ou n ds w ere n o in

consi derable treasure either t o le n d or Spe n d ac c o m m o
, ,

d ated h i s l an dl ord w ith th at s u m at i n terest ; an d Obtai ned ,

as a retur n for th e c i vi l i ty a l on g lease abou t h al f a doze n

, ,
- -

ti m es m ore v al uabl e th an th e l oa n w h i ch procu red i t Th e .

o ld m an d ie d w orth s e v era l h u n dred pou n ds the greate r ,

part o f w h ich w it h h is far m h e bequeathed to h i s s o n

, ,

To m . B ut besides all th is T o m recei ved fro m h i s fa

, ,

th er, U po n h is death bed an oth er gi ft far m ore val uabl e

-
, ,

th an w orl dly r i ches greatly as he pri zed , an d i s stil l

,

k n o w n to prize the m H e w as i n v ested w ith th e pri vi

.

l ege enj oyed b y fe w o f th e so ns o f m e n o f co m m u n icati n g

, ,

w i t h th ose m ysteriou s bei ngs cal led the good peopl e

.

T o m Bou rke i s a l ittl e stout healthy acti ve m an abo u t

, , , ,

fty v e y ears o f age

-
H is h ai r is pe rfectl y w h ite , sh or t
.

an d b ush y be h i n d b u t risi n g i n fro n t erect an d th i ck abo v e

,

h is forehead l ike a n e w clothes brush

,
H is eyes are o f
-
.

th at k i n d w h i ch I h av e often O bse r v ed w i th perso ns o f a

qu i ck b u t l i m ited i n te llect the y are s m al l gray a n d , ,

l i vel y . g e ye bro w s u nder o r -

,

r ather w gi ve the m a n expre ssi o n

of n o t o f cu n n i n g A nd .

t h is is ver y m u ch the character o f th e m an I f y o u w an t .

t o m ake a bargai n w ith T o m B o u rke y o u m ust act as i f ,

y o u w ere a g e ner al be s iegi n g a to w n , an d m ak e

y our a d
 C O NFE S S I O N S O

v a he e s a l o n g t i m e before y o u c an h ope to obtai n pos sessio n ;

i f y o u m arc h U p bol dly an d tel l h i m at o n ce you r o bject , ,

o u ar e f o r th e m ost par t s u re to h av e th e gates cl osed i n

y
you r teeth T o m d oes n o t w i sh to part w ith w h at y o u
.

w i sh t o obtai n o r an oth er perso n h as been Speak i n g t o him

,

f o r th e w h ol e o f the l ast w eek O r i t m ay be y ou r p r o .

, ,
!

p osal see m s to m eet t h e m ost fa v ou rable recepti o n V ery .

w el l Sir ;
,
Th at s true Sir ; I m very th an kful to you r

,

h o n o u r a n d other expressi o n s o f k i nd ness a n d con den ce
, ,

greet yo u i n reply to every se n te nce ; a n d you part fro m

h im w o nde r i n g h o w h e c an h ave obtai n ed th e c h aracter
w h i c h h e u n i versal ly bears o f be i n g a m an w h o m n o o n e ,

c an m ake a ny th i n g of i n a bargai n B u t w he n y o u n ex t .

m e e t h im th e atte ri n g i l l u sio n i s d i ssol ved : y o u n d y o u

,

ar e a g r eat d eal farther fro m you r O bj ect than y o u w ere

w hen o u th o ugh t y o u h ad al m ost succ e d e d : h i s eye an d
y e
h is to n gu e ex pre ss a to tal forgetful n e s s o f w h at th e m i n d
w i th i n n e ver l ost si gh t o f for a n i n stan t ; an d o u h av e t o
y
b egi n operatio n s afresh w i th th e d i sad va ntage o f h av i n g ,

u t you r ad versary co m pl etel y u po n h is gu ard

p .

Yet al th ou g h T o m Bou rk e is w h eth er fro m supern atu ra l

, ,

r eveal i ngs , o r (as m any w ill th i n k m ore proba b le ) fro m th e

t e l Lt r u t h e xperie n ce s o d i s t rustfu l of m a nki n d a n d s o
, , ,

cl ose i n h i s deal i n gs w ith th e m h e i s n o m i sa nthrope , .

N o m an l o ves better th e pl easu res o f th e gen ia l board .

T h e l ov e o f m o ney i n deed w h i c h i s w i th h i m (an d w h o

, ,

w i l l bl a m e h i m ? a v ery ru l i n g propen si ty a n d the r at i

) g ,

cati o n w h i ch i t h as rece i ve d fro m h ab its o f i n du stry s u s ,

t ai n e d th r ou gh ou t a pretty l o n g a n d su cces s fu l l ife hav e ,

tau gh t h i m t h e val u e of sobriety d u ri n g th ose season s at , ,

l east w h en a m an s busi ness re qu ires hi m t o keep pos s es si o n

,

o f h is se n s e s H e has therefore a gene ral ru le n ever t o

.
,

get d ru n k b u t o n S u nd ays B ut i n o rder that i t sh oul d .

,

b e a general o n e to al l i nten ts a n d pu rposes h e takes a ,

m e th od w h ic h accord i n g to bette r logi c ian s tha n h e is

, ,

al w ays proves the ru le He exceptio ns : a m o n g

.

these o f co u rse ar e the e v e n i

,

,
th e fai r an d m ark et
d a y s th at h appe n i n h is nei gh s o also al l t he d ay s

o n w h i c h fu neral s m arriages a n d christen i n gs take place

, , ,

a m on g h i s frien d s w ith i n m an y m i les o f h i m A s to th is .

.

l ast cl ass o f ex cept io n s , i t m ay appear at rst v ery s i n gu lar ,

 C O N F E SS I O N S O F TOM B O U R KE . 45

that h e i s m u ch m ore pu n ctu al i n h is at te n dan ce at th e

fu n e ral s than at the bapti s m s o r w edd i n gs o f h is frie nds .

Th i s m ay be con strued as an i n stan ce o f d isi nterested af

f e c t io n for departed w orth very u n co m m o n i n th is selsh ,

w orld . B u t I am afrai d th at th e m oti ves w h ich lead T o m

B ourke to pay m ore court to th e dead t h a n the l i v i n g are
p recisely th ose w h i c h l ead to th e Opposi te c ond uct i n th e
ge neral ity o f m a nki n d a h ope o f fu tu re be net a nd a fear
o f futu re ev i l F o r th e good peopl e w h o are a race as
.
,

p o w erfu l as th ey are capriciou s h ave t h e i r favou rites ,

a m on g those w h o i n h abi t th e w orld ; ofte n Sh o w th ei r

a ffection by easi n g th e objects o f i t fro m the l oad o f th i s
,

b u rdenso m e l ife ; an d freque n tly re w ard o r pu n ish the

l i vi n g ac cord i n g to th e degree o f reverence pai d to th e
,

o bsequ ies an d the m e m ory o f t h e el ected dead .

It i s n ot easy to preva i l o n T o m to spea k o f th ose goo d

e O le w i th w h o m h e i s sai d to h ol d frequen t an d i n ti m ate
p p ,

c o m m u n icatio n s T o th e faith ful w h o bel ieve i n the i r

.
,

o w er a n d the ir o ccasio nal delegati o f i t to h i m h e

p , n o ,
s eldo m r ef uses i f pro perly asked to exerc ise h is h i gh pre
, ,

i n h is
IE
r ogati v e w h e n a ny u n fortu nate be i n g i s s tr uck
,

n ei gh bourhood S ti ll h e w il l n o t be w o n u n sued : h e is at
.
,

rs t d i f cu lt o f pers u asi on an d m ust be overco m e by a ,

l ittl e ge n tl e v iolen ce O n thes e o ccasion s h e i s u n u sual l y
.

s ole m n an d m steri o u s an d i f o n e w ord o f re w ard b e m e n

y ,
t i o n e d h e at o nce aban do n s th e u n happy pati e n t, s u ch a
,

propositi o n bei n g a d irect i nsu l t to hi s supern atural su pe .

It is tr u e th a t as th e l abo urer is w orthy o f h is h i re

r i ors.
, ,

m os t perso n s gi fted as h e i s d o n o t scru p l e t o recei v e a

, ,

toke n o f grati tude fro m the patie n ts o r thei r frie n ds , af ter

thei r reco v ery .

term fairy s t ruc k is a ppl i e d t o p aralytic aff ect i on s w hi c h

"

T he
are s u pp o s e d t o p ro c ee d fr o m a b lo w g i ven b y t he i nvi s i b le han d o f
,

an o ffe n de d fai r ; t hi s b el i e f o f co ur s e cre at e s f ai r d octo r h o

y y s w
b y m e an s o f c harm s an d mys te r i ou s j o u rne ys pro fe s s t o c u r e t he
, , ,

af i c t e d I t is on ly f ai r to add t hat t he te r m has al s o a c o n viv iai

.
,

pi o us a s ac r i e t
B ac c h us a
c o

e ma n n er l e
an d p ac o f b u a b y t he ri l
p e as antry is al m o s t in e d i b le ; i t
cr tt
is alw ays a m a e r o f c o s d a o n n i er t i
an d o ften o f d s u te
p

i w het her t he e e se l
d c a d S hal b e b ur d w h his o r ie it
he r o w n p eo ple .
46 C O NF E SS I O N S O F TOM BO U R KE .

T 0 d o T o m B o urk e j usti ce h e i s o n th ese oc c asio n s as , ,

I h ave h eard fro m m a ny c o m peten t au th or ities perfectl y ,

d i si n terested Not m any m o n th s Si n ce h e recovered a

.
,

y ou n g w o m a n (th e si ster o f a trades m an l i vi n g n ear h im ) ,

w h o had bee n stru c k speech l ess after retur n i n g fro m a f u

n eral an d had co nti nued s o fo r several d ays

, H e stead fastly .

r efuse d rece i v i n g an y co m pe nsatio n ; say i n g th at e v e n if ,

h e h ad n o t as m u c h as w o u ld b uy h i m h i s su pper h e co ul d ,

take n oth i n g i n t h is case becau se th e girl h ad o ff en ded at ,

th e fu neral o n e o f th e g o o d p e op le bel o n gi n g to h is o w n fa
m il y an d th o u gh h e w o ul d d o h er a k i n d ness , h e co u l d
,

t ake n o n e fro m h er .

A bo ut th e ti m e th i s last re m arkabl e a ffai r took pl ace m y ,

frie nd M r M arti n w h o i s a n ei gh bou r o f To m s h ad so m e

.
,

,

bu si n ess to tra n sact w ith h im w h ic h i t w as ex ceed i n gl y ,

d i f cu l t to bri n g to a con cl u si o n A t l ast M r M arti n , . .

h av i n g t ried al l q u iet m ean s h ad recourse t o a l egal proces s, ,

w h i ch brou h t T o m t o re ason a n d th e m atter w as arra n ge d

g ,

t o the i r m utual sati sfac t i o n a n d w ith perfec t goo d h u m o u r ,

-

bet w ee n th e parties Th e acco m m odat io n took pl ace a fte r.

d i n n er at M r M arti n s h ouse a nd h e i n v i ted T o m t o w al k

.

,

i n to th e parl o u r an d take a gl ass o f pu n ch m ade o f s o m e ,

e xcel len t o tte cn w h i c h w as o n t h e table : h e had l o n g

p ,

w i shed to d ra w o u t h i s h i gh l y en d o w ed n ei gh bou r o n th e

s u bject o f h i s su pern atu ra l po w ers an d as lVIr s M art i n , , .

w h o w as i n the roo m w as rather a fa v o u r ite o f To m s th i s, ,

s ee m ed a good opportu n i ty .

Well T om
,

sai d M r M art i n th at w as a c u r i o u s
,

.
,

b usi ness o f M ol ly D w y er s w h o r e co v e r e d h er speec h s o

'

,

s u dd e nl y th e oth er d ay .

Y o u ma a that si r repl ied T o m B ou r ke ; b ut I
y s y , ,

h ad to travel far for i t : n o m atter f o r th at n o w Y o ur , .

h eal th m a a m
,

sai d he tu rn i n g to M r s lVIar tin
, , . .

Th an k y o u T o m B u t I am tol d y o u h ad so m e tro u
, .

bl e o n c e i n th at w ay i n y our o w n fa m ily sai d M r s , .

M arti n .
D

S o I h ad m a a m ; tro u bl e e
,
b ut y o u w ere onl y

a ch i l d at th at ti m e .

C o m e T o m sai d th e h osp itabl e M r Marti n I n ter

, , .
,

r u p t i n g h im

take anoth er tu m bl er ; an d h e
,

w i sh y o u w o uld te ll u s so m eth i n g o f th e
I
 C O NF E SS I O N S O F TOM B O U R KE . 47

w h i ch s o m an y o f y ou r ch i ld re n d ied I am tol d th ey .

d ropped O ff o n e after a nother by th e sa m e d isorder an d

, , ,

that you r eldest s o n w as cu red i n a m ost extraord i nary

w ay ; w h en t h e physi cian s had gi ve n over .

Ti s true for o u s ir returned T om;

you r fath er

W

y , , ,

th e d octor (Go d be good to h im I w o n t bel ie him i n h is ,

grave ) tol d m e w h en m y fourth l ittl e boy w as a w eek

,

S i ck th at h i m sel f an d D octor Barry d i d all th at m an cou l d

,

d o for h i m ; bu t th e y cou ld n ot kee p hi m fro m goi n g afte r

t h e rest No m ore th ey coul d i f th e peopl e th at too k
.
,

a w a y th e rest w i sh ed to take h i m too Bu t they l eft hi m ; .

an d sorry to t h e h eart I am I d i d n ot k n o w before w hy

th ey w ere tak i n g m y b oys fro m m e ; i f I d id I w ou ld n o t

,

be l eft trusti n g to t w o o f e m n o w
.

A nd
ho w d i d y o u n d i t o u t T o m ?

i n q u i red M r , .

M arti n .

hy th e n I l l tel l you s ir


, ,
sai d Bo urke : W h e n
, ,

y o u r father sai d w h at I tol d y o u I d i d n ot k n o w very w el l ,

w h at to d o I w al ked d o w n the l ittl e b o he r e e n y o u kn o w ,

.
,

s ir th at goes to th e river si de n ear D i c k H e afy s grou n d ; -

,

fo r t w as a l o neso m e place an d I w an ted to th i n k o f m y

,

sel f I w as h eavy S ir an d m y h eart go t w eak i n me,

.
, ,

w h e n I th ou gh t I w as to l ose m y l ittle boy ; a n d I d i d n o t

k n o w w el l h o w to face h i s m oth er w ith th e n e w s f o r sh e ,

d oted d o w n u po n h i m Beside s he n e ver got t h e better .

,

o f all s h e cried at h er brother s berri n (b ury i n g th e w eek
)
before A S I w as goi n g d o w n th e b oh eree n I m e t a n o ld
.
,

b o c o u gh i
that used to co m e abou t the pl ace o n c e o r t w i c e
,
t

a y ear an d u s e d al w ays to sl eep i n o u r bar n w h i le h e stai d

,

i n the n ei gh bou rh ood SO h e asked m e ho w I w as . B ad .

e n ou g h Sh am o u s ,
says I I m sorry for y ou r .

trou bl e says b e ; b u t yo u re a fool ish m an M r Bourke

,

, . .

You r s o n w oul d be w el l en ou gh i f y o u w oul d o nly d o w h a t

y o u ou gh t w ith Wh at m ore ca n I d o w ith h i m
,
Sh am o u s ? says I : t h e d octors gi ve h i m ove r

Th e .

d o ctors k n o w n o m ore w h at a il s h im tha n t h ey d o w h at

a i ls a c o w w h en s he er m i l k says Sh am o us : b u t ,

g o t o such a o n e tel l i n g m e h
, i
s n a m e ,
an d t r
y

w h at h e l l s a t o you
y .

A p e cu l ia l
r c as s o f b e ggars re s e mb l i ng the Gab c r lu nz ie mamo f
Sc o t l and .
 48 .

A nd w
I c oul d n o t tel l

m ysteri o u s l ook :
ho
y o u t hat
W
C

,
ON F
as
s i r

E SS I O N S O F
th a t T o m ? asked M r M ar t i n ,

sai d B ou r ke , w ith a
h o w s o ever y o u o fte n s aw h im ; an d h e
d oes n ot l i ve far fro m th i s B u t I h ad a tri al o f hi m b e
f ore ; an d i f l w e n t t o h i m at rst m ay b e I d h ave n o w
s o m e o f th e m that s go n e a n d S O Sh am o u s Ofte n to l d m e :

Well Si r I w en t t o t h is man an d h e ca m e w i th m e t o t he
,
.

,
TOM B O U R

,
KE .

, , ,

h o us e B y cou rs e I d i d every t h i n g as h e b id m e A c
.
,
'
.

c ord i n g to h is ord er I too k the l i ttle boy o u t o f th e d w e l l

,
-
s

i n g h ou se i m m ed iately si ck as he w as an d m ad e a b e d
-
, , .

f o r h i m a n d m ysel f i n th e c o w h o u se Wel l s ir I lay -

.
, ,

d o w n b y his s id e i n th e bed bet w ee n t w o o f the c o w s an d

, , ,

h e f el l asl eep H e g o t i nt o a p erspi rati o n sav i n g y ou r p re ~

.
,

Se n ce as i f h e w as d ra w n th rou g h t h e ri ver an d breath e d

, ,

hard w ith a great imp r e s s io n (Oppressi o n ) o n hi s c h es t; an d

,

w as ver
y bad very bad e n tirely throu gh th e n i g ht I .

th o u gh t a b o u t t w el ve O cl o ck h e w as go i n g at l as t , a n d I

w as j ust getti n g u p t o go c al l th e m an I t ol d o u o f ; bu t
y
t h ere w a s n o o c c as i o n M y fr i e n ds w ere
. get t i n g th e bette r
of t he m 1 h t w an t e d to take h im a w ay fro m m e Th e r e
I .

w as n o b o d y in t he c o w h ous e b u t th e c h i l d an d m y se l f-
.

Th e r e w as o n ly o ne h al f pen n y can d l e l i gh t i n g an d tha t -

,

w as s t u ck i n t he w a l l at th e far e n d o f th e h ouse I had . I

u s t e n o u gh O f l i h t w he r e w e w ere l ay i n g t o S ee a pers o n
j g
w al ki n g o r s tan d i ng n ear us : an d th ere w as n o m ore n oi se

t h a n i f i t w as a c h urc hyard except th e co w s ch e w i n g t he ,

fodder i n th e stal ls J ust as I w as th i nk i n g o f g e tti ng u p

as I tol d y o u I w on t bel i e m y fath er si r he w as a good
.
,

f a th er to m e I s aw h im stan d i n g at th e bed sid e , h old i n g -

c u t h i s r i gh t h a n d t o me , a n d l e an i n g h i s oth er h an d o n
the s ti ck h e u sed t o c arr y w h e n h e w as al i v e an d k ic k i n g ,

pl easa n t an d s m i l i n g at m e all as i f he w as t e l l i n g m e n o t ,

to be afe ard f o r I w o ul d n o t l ose t h e c h il d

,
IS th at y o u; .

father ? s ay s 1 H e sai d n oth i n g

. I f that s y o u, s ays I .

aga i n , f o r th e l o v e o f th e m th at s go ne l e t m e c atc h y o u r

, . .

h an d
.A n d s o he d i d , air ; a n d h is h and w as as s oft as a
c h i ld s

H e Stayed a bo u t as l o n
. , y o u d be go i n g f ro m

th i s to the gate be lo w at the e n d f t he a v e n u e and the n ,

w ent aw a In l es s th an a w eek th e c h i l d w as as w e l l a s i f
y .

n oth i n g e v er ai led h im ; an d th ere i s n t t o n i gh t a h ealth i e r

-

b o y o f n i ne tee n , f ro m th i s bl e ss e d h ou se t o the t o w n o f

B al ly po r e e n ac r o ss the K i lw orth m o u n tai ns
,
.
 C ON FE SI S ON S O F T OM BO U R K E .

B ut I th i n k T om sai d M r M arti n i t appears as i f

, ,

.
,

o u are m ore i ndebted to y ou r fath er th an to t h e m an r e

y
s

co m m en ded to y ou by Sh amo u s ; o r d o y o u Su ppose i t w as

h e w h o m ade favo u r w ith you r e ne m i es a m o n g th e good
peopl e a n d that th en you r father
,
I beg you r pard on s ir sai d B o u r k e i n t e r r u t in h i m
,p g ; , ,
b ut d o n
t cal l th e m m y e ne m ies

T w oul d n ot be w i sh i n g .

to m e for a good deal to Si t by w h en th ey are cal led s o .

N o o ff ence to y o u , s ir H ere s w ish i n g yo u a good h ealth

.

an d l o n g l ife .

I assure
y ou

retu rned M,
r Marti n I m ean t no o f .
,

fen ce T o m ; but w as i t n ot as I s ay ?
,

I ca n t tel l yo u that

Si r sai d Bou rke ; I m bou n d , ,

d o w n s ir H o w soever y o u m ay be sure t h e m an l s p o k e
, .
,

o f, an d m y father a n d th ose th ey k no w ,
settl ed i t bet w ee n ,

the m .

There w as a pause o f w h i ch M rs Marti n took ad v an

,
.

tage to i n qu ire o f T o m w h eth er so m eth i n g re m ark abl e ,

h ad n ot h appe n ed abou t a goat a n d a pai r o f pi geo n s at t h e

t i m e Of h i s so n s i l l n es s
ci rcu m sta n ces O fte n m ysteriousl y

,

W
h i nted at by T o m .

S ee that
no w sai d b e return i n g to M r M arti n ho w
,

, .
,

w el l s h e re m e m bers i t ! Tru e f o r y o u m a a m Th e goa t ,

.

I gave th e m istress yo u r m other w hen the d octors o rdered ,

h e r goats w h ey
.

M rs Marti n n odded assen t an d T o m Bou rke co n ti n u ed

.
,

Why the n I ll t el l y o u ho w th at w as Th e goat w as as

, ,

.

w el l as e er a goat ever w as for a m on th after s h e w as sen t to ,

K illaan to you r father s Th e m orn i n g after the n igh t I j u s t

.

tol d y o u o f before th e ch i l d w oke h i s m ot h er w as stan d i n g

, ,

at the gap l ead i n g ou t o f the barn yard i nto th e road an d -

,

She s aw t w o pi geon s yi n g fro m th e to w n of K il w o r t h o ff ,

the ch urc h d o w n to w ard s her e ll t h e n ever stopped

, y .
, ,

yo u see til l th ey ca m e to th e h ouse o n th e h i l l at th e other

,

Si de o f the r i ver fac i n g o u r far m T hey p itched U po n th e

,
.

ch i m ney o f th at h ouse an d after l ook i n g abou t th e m for a ,

m i n ute o r t w o th ey e w strai ght across th e ri ver an d

, ,

stopped o n the r id ge o f the c o w h ou se w h ere th e c h i ld an d -

I w r e lyi n g D O y o u th i nk they ca m e th ere f o r n oth i n g

p
.
,

Sir ?

C erta i n l y n o t T o m retur ne d M r Marti n
, ,
. .

5
50 C O NF E SSION S O F TOM B O U R KE .

Wel l , th e w o m a n c a m e i n to m e fri gh te n ed , an d tol d ,

me . S h e bega n to cry Wh ish t you fool ! sa y s I : tis .
,

all for th e better T w as true f o r m e Wh at d o y o u

.

.

th i n k m a a m ; th e goat th at I ga v e y ou r m other that w as

,

,

see n feed i n g at su n ri se th at m orn i n g b y Jack Cron i n as ,

m erry as a bee d ropped d o w n dead w i th ou t an y body

, ,

k n o w i n g w h y before Jack s face ; a n d at th at v ery m o me n t

,

h e s aw t w o pi geon s y fro m th e t o p o f th e h ou se o u t o f th e

t o w n to w ard s th e L i s m ore road
,
T w as at th e sa m e ti m e .

m y w o m an s aw the m as I j u st tol d y o u ,
.

T w as v ery stran ge i n d eed T o m sai d M r M ar t i n ;

, , , .

I w ish y o u coul d gi ve u s so m e expl an ati o n o f i t .

I w i sh I c oul d s i r w as T o m B ou rk e s a n s w er
, , ; bu t

I m bou n d d o w n

I ca n t tel l b u t w hat I m al l o w ed t o
.

tell a n y m ore th a n a se n try is l et w al k m ore th a n h is

,

r o u n ds ?

I th i n k y o u sai d so m eth i n g Of h a v i n g h ad s o m e for m er

k n o w l ed ge o f th e m an that ass i ste d i n th e c ure o f y o u r

son ,
sai d M r M arti n . .

S o I h ad s ir retu r n ed B ou rk e I h ad a tri al o f
, , .

th at m an B u t th at s n ei ther h ere n or th ere I can t te l l

.

.

o u a ny th i n g abou t th at s ir B ut w ou l d y o u l ike t o k n o w
y
, .

h o w h e go t h i s sk i l l ?

O h ! very m u ch i n deed s ai d M r M arti n , . .

But o u ca n tel l u s h i s C hr isti an n a m e that w e m a

y y ,

k n o w h i m th e better th rou gh th e story added M rs M ar , .

t i n T o m Bou rk e pau sed for a m i n ute to co n s id er th i s

.

propositi on .

Wel l I bel ieve I m ay tel l y o u th at any ho w ; h is n a m e

, ,

i s Patr i ck H e w as al w ays a s m art a cti ve cu te boy a n d

.
, ,

,

w ou l d be a great cl erk i f h e stu ck to i t Th e rst ti m e I .

k n e w h im Si r w as at m y m oth er s w ake I w as i n grea t

, ,

.

tro u bl e for I d i d n ot k n o w w h ere to bu ry h er H e r p e o

, .

p l e a n d m y fath e r s people I m ea n th

ei r fri e nd s si r a m o n g , ,

the g o o d p e op le h ad th e greatest battle th at w as k no w n f o r

,

m a ny a year at D u n m an w ay c r o s s to see to w h ose ch urch

, ,

yard sh e d be taken Th ey fou gh t for th ree n igh ts o n e

.
,

after a n oth er w i tho u t be i n g able to sett le i t Th e n ei gh

, .

b ours w o ndered h o w l on g I w as before I bu ried m y m o

th er ; bu t I had m y reason s th ou gh I cou l d n o t tel l t he m at ,

th at ti m e Wel l s ir , to m ake m y story Sh ort, Pat r i ck

.
,

c a me o n th e fou rth m or n i n g an d to ld m e h e set tl e d th e

 C O NF E SS I O N S O F TOM B O U R KE . 51

busi ness an d th at d ay w e buri ed her i n K ilc r u mp e r ch urc h

,

y ard w i th m
y father s people
.

H e w as a valuabl e frien d T o m sai d M r s M artin , , .

,

w ith d i fcu l ty suppressi n g a s m il e B ut y o u w ere abou t .

to tel l h o w h e beca m e s o sk il ful .

S o I w il l an d w el co m e repl ie d B ou rke
,
Yo u r , .

h eal th m a am I am d r in k i n g t o o m u ch o f th is p u n ch s ir ;
,

.
,

b u t to tel l th e tr u t h I never tasted th e l ik e o f i t : i t goes d o w n

,

o n e s throat l ike s w e e t oi l B u t w h at w as I go in g t o s ay ?

Yes w el l Patri ck m any a l o n g year ago w as co m i n g

.

, ,

h o m e fro m a b e rr in l ate i n t h e e v e n i n g an d w al k i n g by th e ,

Si de o f t h e r iver Oppos ite th e bi g i n c h n ear B ally he faan

f o r d ] H e h ad take n a d rop to be su re ; but h e w as o n ly a l it

L
,

tle m erry as you m ay say and kne w very w el l w hat h e w as

, ,

d oi n g Th e m oo n w as s h in i ng for i t w as i n th e m o nth o f
.
,

A u gu st an d th e r i ver w as as s m ooth an d as b r i ght as a

,

l ooki n g gl ass H e heard n oth i n g for a l o n g ti me but the

-
.

fal l of the w ater at th e m i l l w ier abou t a m i l e d o w n th e r i

v e r an d n o w an d th e n th e cry i n g o f the la m bs o n th e oth er
,

S id e o f th e r i ver A ll at o n ce th ere w as a n oise O f a great

.
,

n u m ber o f peopl e l au gh i n g as i f they d break t h ei r hearts

, ,

a n d of a p iper play i n g a m o n g the m It ca m e fro m the i n ch .

at th e oth er sid e o f th e ford an d h e s aw through th e m i s t , ,

th at h un g o v er th e r i ver a w h ol e cro w d o f peopl e dan c i n g ,

o n th e i n ch Patri c k w as as fo n d o f a d an ce as he w as o f
.

a gl ass an d that s say in g e n ough for h im ; s o h e w h ipped :

,

o h is sh oes an d stocki n gs a n d a w ay w ith h i m across t h e

'

ford A fter putti n g o n h is Sh oes an d stock i n gs at th e oth er

.

Si de o f th e ri ver, h e w al ked over to th e cro w d an d m i xe d ,

w i th t h e m for so m e ti m e w i th out bei n g m i n ded H e .

thou gh t Si r th at h e d Sh o w th e m better dan c i n g t h an an y

, ,

o f the m sel ves for h e w as prou d of h i s feet si r a n d goo d

, , ,

r i gh t h e had for th ere w as n o t a boy i n th e sa m e pari s h

,

co ul d foot a d oubl e o r trebl e w ith h im B ut p w ah h is .

-

d an ci n g w as n o m ore to th ei rs tha n m i n e w oul d be to th e

m istress th ere T h ey d i d n ot see m as i f they h ad a bo ne
.

i n thei r bod ies , a n d they kept i t u p as i f n oth i n g cou l d ti re

I n c hlo w me ad o w g ro u n d ne ar a r v e r i
A i P i
.

1 f o r d o f t h e r v e r u n c he o n (t he P an c h n o f Sp e n s er , ) o n t he
i
r o ad l e ad n g fr o m F e r m o y t o ra l n
g A i
i k i k
.

1 i e I n t he t me o f a cra c of a w h p , he too o ff his s ho e s

ki
. .

an d s to c ngs .
52 C O NF E SS I O N S OF T O M B O U R KE .

t h e m P atr i ck w as sh a m ed w i th i n h i m sel f fo r h e t h ou g h t
.

,

h e h ad n ot h i s f el lo w i n all th e c ou n try rou n d ; an d w as '

go i n g a w ay w h e n a l i ttl e ol d m an th at w as l ook i n g at th e ,

c o m pany f o r so m e ti m e b i tterly as i f he d i d n ot l i ke w h at

w as go i n g o n ca m e u p to h i m Patrick says h e P a
, .
, .

tri ck starte d f o r h e d i d n ot th i n k an y bo d y th ere k n e w

,

h im . Patri ck says h e , yo u re d i scou raged a n d n o
,

,
,

w o nder f o r y o u B u t y ou h ave a frien d n ear y o u I m

. .

you r fri en d and you r f ath er s frien d an d I th i n k w ors e

,

,

( m ore ) o f you r l i ttl e n ger tha n I d o of al l th at ar e h ere

,
th ou gh th ey th i n k n o o n e i s as good as th e m sel ves Go .

i nto the r i n g a n d cal l for a l i l t D o n t be afeard 1 tel l .

.

o u t he best o f t h e m d i d n o t d o as w el l as o u s h al l i f
y y ,

y o u w i l l d o as I b i d
y ou Patri ck f el t so m eth i n.g w

i t h i n
h i m as i f h e ou g h t n ot t o gai nsa y the o l d m an He w e n t .

i n to th e r i n g a n d cal led th e piper to play u p the best d o u

,

bl e h e b ad A n d sure en ou gh al l that th e ot h ers w er e

.
, ,

able f o r w as n oth i n g to h i m ! He b ou n d e d l ike an eel ,

n o w h ere a n d n o w there as l i g h t as a feath er alth ou g h t h e , ,

peopl e c o ul d h ear th e m u s i c a ns w ered by h i s steps th at bea t ,

t i m e to every t u r n o f it l i ke th e l eft foot o f th e pi per H e

, .

rst d an ced a h orn pi pe o n th e gro u n d The n th ey go t a .

t able a n d he d an ced a treble o n i t th at d re w d o w n sh ou t s

,

f ro m th e w h ol e co m pan y A t l ast h e cal led f o r a t r e n c he r ;

.

an d w h en th ey s aw h i m al l as i f h e w as Sp i n n i n g o n i t li k e
,

a top th e y d i d n ot k n o w w h at to m ak e o f hi m S o me .
,

p ra i sed h im for th e best d an cer th at e v e r e ntered a r i n g

;
o t hers h ated h i m beca u se h e w as better th an th e m sel ves ;
alth o ugh th ey h ad g oo d ri gh t to th i n k t h e m sel ves bette r
t h an h i m o r an v other m an th at n ever w e n t t h e lo n g j our

ZA
ne

hat w as t h e cau s e of h is great su cce ss ? i n qu i re d
nd w

M r M arti n
. .

H e coul d n ot h el p i t s ir repl ied T o m B ou rke , , .

T he y th at co ul d m ake hi m d o m ore th a n th at m ade h i m

do i t H o w so m e ver w h e n h e h ad do n e th ey w a nted h i m
.
, ,

to d an ce agai n but h e w as tired a n d th ey cou l d n o t per

, ,

s u ad e h i m A t last h e got an gry an d s w ore a b i g oath ,

.
,

s av i n g you r presen ce t h at h e w o u l d n o t dan ce a step m ore ;

,

an d th e w ord w as hardl y o u t o f h i s m outh w h e n h e fou n d ,

h i m sel f all alo n e, w it h n o th i n g b u t a w h ite c o w graz i n g by

h is s i de .
 C O NF ES SIONS OF T OM B OURKE . 53

D id h e ever d i scover w h y h e w as gi fted w i t h th ese ex

t r ao r d i n ar y po w ers i n the dan ce , T o m ?
sai d M r M ar .

tin.

I l l tel l
o u th at too s ir ans w ered B ou rke w he n I

y , , ,

co m e to i t Wh e n h e w en t h o m e s ir h e w as take n w i th
.
, ,

a sh i veri n g an d w e nt to bed ; an d the n ext d ay th ey fou n d

,

h e got th e fe ver or so m eth i n g l ike i t f o r h e raved l ike as

, ,

i f h e w as m ad B ut th ey co u l d n t m ake ou t w hat i t w as
.

h e w as say i n g th ou gh h e tal ke d co nstant T h e d octors

, .

g ave h i m o ver B ut
. i t s l ittl e they
k no w w hat ai le d h i m .

Wh e n h e w as as you m ay s ay about te n days si ck an d

, , ,

e very body th o u gh t h e w as go i n g o ne O f the nei gh b ours ,

ca m e i n to h i m w ith a m an a frie n d o f h i s f ro m Bal l i n

, ,

l acken th at w as keep i n g w ith h im so m e t i m e be fore I

, .

can t tel l y o u h i s n a m e e ith er o nl y i t w as Dar b y Th e

, .

m i n u te D arby s aw Patri ck h e took a l i ttl e bottle w i th t he

, ,

j u i ce o f h erbs i n i t o u t o f h is pocket an d gave Patri ck a

, ,

d ri n k of i t H e d i d the sa m e every d ay fo r th ree w eeks

.
,

a n d the n Patri ck w as able to w al k abo u t as sto u t an d as ,

h earty as e ver h e w as i n h is l i fe B u t h e w as a l o n g ti m e
.

be fore h e ca m e t o h i m sel f ; an d h e u sed to w al k the w h ole

d ay so m eti m es by th e d i tc h s ide tal ki n g to h i m sel f l i ke , ,

as if there w as so m e o n e al o n g w i th h i m A n d s o there .

w as su rel y o r h e w o u l d n t be th e m an h e i s to d ay

, .

I sup ose i t w as fro

p m so m e su ch co m p an io n h e learn ed
h is s k ill sai d M r M arti n

, . .

Y o u h ave i t all n o
w s ir re p l ied B o u rke
, ,
D arby .

tol d h i m h i s f rie n ds w ere satise d w i th w hat h e d id th e n igh t:

o f th e dan ce ; a n d th o u gh the y co u l d n t h i nder the f ever

,

they d bri n g h i m o ver i t an d teac h h i m m ore th an m any

,

k n e w beside h i m A n d s o th ey d id For y o u see al l th e

. .

people he m e t o n the i n ch tha t n i g h t w ere f rien ds o f a d i f

f e r e n t factio n ; o n l y th e ol d m an th at Spo k e to h im ; he w as

a fr i en d o f Patri ck s fa m ily an d i t w en t agai n h is heart
,

,
o u s e e th at the others w ere so l ight an d acti ve a n d h e
y , , ,

w as b itter i n h i m sel f to hear e m boas t i ng h o w th ey d

d a nce w ith an y set i n th e w h ole co u ntr y ro u n d S o h e .

gave Patrick the gi f t that n ight an d a fter w ard s gave h im ,

t he sk i l l that m akes hi m the w on der o f al l that k no w h i m .

A n d to b e sure i t w as o nly l earn i ng h e w as that t i m e w he n

h e w as w ander i n g i n h is m i n d after th e fe v er .
54 C O N F E SS I O N S O F TO M B O UR K E .

I h ave h eard m any stran ge stor i es ab ou t t h at i n c h n e a r

B ally h e faan ford

sai d M r M arti n Ti s a great pl ac e
,
. .

f o r th e good peopl e i sn t i t T o m ? , ,

Y o u m ay s ay th at s ir returned B o urk e I coul d , , .

tel l y o u a great d eal a b ou t i t M a ny a ti m e I s at for as .

good as t w o h o urs by m o onl ight at t h other s i de o f ,

t he ri ver l ook i n g at e m p lay i n g goal as i f th ey d br e ak

,

th ei r h earts over i t ; w ith th ei r coats a n d w ai stcoats o a n d ,

w h i te h and kerc h ie fs o n th e h eads O f o n e p arty an d red ,

u s t as y ou d see o n a S u n day i n M r S i m
j

o nes o n th o th e r

, .

m i n g s b i g eld I s aw e m o n e n i gh t play til l th e m oo n

.

s e t w ith o u t o n e party be i n g abl e to take t h e b al l fro m t h

,

o t h er I m s u re th e y w ere go i n g to gh t o n ly t w as n e ar

.
, ,

m orn i n g I m tol d yo u r grand f ather m a a m u sed to s e e

.
, ,

e m there too
,

sai d B ou rke tur n i n g to M r s M arti n
, , , . .

S o I have bee n tol d T o m re p l ie d M r s M arti n

, , . .

B u t d o n t they say th at t h e c h u rchy ard o f K il c r m

u e
p
is j u s t as f avo u ri te a place w i th th e goo d people as Ball y

h e faan i n c h .

Why th en m ay be y o u n e ver h eard m a a m w h a t

, , , ,

,

h appen ed to Dav y Roch e i n th at sa m e c hu rchyard sai d ,

B o urke ; a n d t u rn i n g to M r M arti n ad ded t w as a l on g .

, ,

t i m e be f ore h e w e n t i nto y o u r servi ce si r H e w as w al k , .

i n g h o m e o f an eve n i n g fro m th e f ai r o f K il cu m m er a l i t , ,

tl e m erry to b e su re a f ter th e d ay an d h e ca m e u p w it h
, , ,

a berri n S o h e w al ked al o n g w i th it an d th ough t i t very

.
,

q ueer th at h e d i d n ot k n o w a m oth er s so ul i n th e cro w d

,

,

b u t o n e m an an d h e w as su re th at m an w as d ead m an y
,

y ears afore H o w so m ever h e w e n t o n w i t h t h e berr i n

.
, ,

t il l th ey ca m e to K il c r u m p e r c h u rchyard ; a n d th en he
w e nt i n a n d stai d w i th th e rest to s e e th e corpse b uried , .

A s so o n as th e grave w as covered w h at sh o u l d the y d o bu t ,

gather abo u t a p iper th at co m e al on g w i th e m an d fal l to ,

,

d a n c i n g as i f i t w as a w ed d i n g D avy l on ged to be a m o n g .

o r he h ad n t a bad f oot o f h is o w n t h at ti m e w h ateve r

e m
( f , ,

h e m ay n o w ; ) bu t h e w as l oath to begi n beca u se th ey all ,

see m ed stran ge to h i m o nl y th e m an I tol d y o u th at h e ,

th o u gh t w as dead Well at last th i s m an s aw w h at D avy .

,

w a n ted a n d ca m e U
, p to h i m D avy s a
y s b e tak e o u t a .

,

,

A b o u t w o hun d re d yar ds O ff t he D ub
t li n mail c o ac h ro ad ne arly
1
-
,

m id w ay b e w e e n K iltlo r th an d F e r m o y
- t .
 C O N F E SS I O N S O F T OM B OU R K E . 55

partner a n d Sh o w w h at you c an d o bu t take care a n d d o n t

, ,

o ff er to ki ss her Th at I w o n t says D a v y al th oug h

.

,

,

h er l i p s w ere m ade o f h o ne y A n d w ith th at h e m ad e h i s .

b o w to th e p ar ti e s ! g i rl i n the r i n g an d h e an d s h e bega n ,

to d an ce T w as a j ig t h e y da nce d a n d they d i d i t to t h
.

,

ad m i rati on d o y o u see O f al l that w ere there

,

,
T w as all .

very w el l t il l th e j i g w as o v er ; b u t j u st as they h ad do ne ,
D avy f o r h e h ad a d ro p i n an d w as w ar m w i th th e dan ci n g
, , ,

forgot h i m sel f a n d k i sse d h i s p artner accor d i n g t o c u s

, ,

to m .Th e s m ac k w as n o sooner o ff h i s l i p s y o u s e e tha n , ,

h e w as l e f t al on e i n th e ch u rchyard w ith o u t a creatu re ,

n ear h im an d al l h e co u l d s e e w as th e tal l t o m bston es

, .

D avy said the y see m ed as i f the y w ere d an ci n g too b u t I ,

su p p ose that w as o n ly th e w o nder th at ha p p ened h im an d ,

h e b ei n g a l ittle i n d ri n k H o w so m ever h e fo u n d i t w as .
,

a great m any h o u rs later th an h e th o u gh t i t ; t w as near

m orn i n g w he n h e ca m e h o m e ; but they co u l d n t ge t a

w ord o u t o f hi m ti l l the n e x t da y w hen h e w oke o u t o f a ,

dead Sl ee p abo u t t w el ve O cl ock
.

Wh e n T o m had n ish ed th e accou n t o f D avy Ro ch e an d

th e b e r r i n i t beca m e q u ite e vi de n t th at sp iri ts o f so m e sort
,

w ere w or k i n g too stro n g w i th i n h i m to ad m i t o f h i s tel l i n g

m any m ore tales o f th e good peo p l e T o m see m ed c o n .

sci ou s o f th i s H e m u ttere d f o r a f e w m i n u tes broke n s e n

t e n c e s con cern i n g ch urch yard s r i ver s i des p e p r e c h an s an d
-
,
-
, ,

d in a m ag h w h i ch w ere q u i te u n i n tell igi bl e perha p s to h im

, ,

sel f certai nly to M r M arti n an d h is l ad y A t l en gth h e

, . .

m ad e a sl igh t m otio n o f th e hea d u p w ards as if h e w ou l d ,

s ay,
I c an tal k n o m ore ; stretched h i s ar m o n the table ,

u pon w h i ch h e laced the e m p ty tu m bler sl o w l y an d w i th

p ,

th e m ost k no w i n g an d cauti ou s air ; an d ri si n g f ro m h i s

ch air w al ked or rather roll e d to the p arl o u r d oor H ere
, , , .

h e tu rned ro u n d to face h i s host an d h ostess ; bu t after v a

r i o u s i ne ff ect u al atte m ts to b i d th e m goo d n i g h t th e w or d s
p , ,

as th e y rose b ei n g al w ay s ch oked b y a vi o len t h i cc u p

, ,

w h i le th e d oor w h i ch h e hel d by the h a nd le s w u n g to a n d

, ,

fro carr y i n g h is u nyi el d i n g body al on g w ith i t h e w as

, ,

o b l i ge d to d e p art i n sil ence Th e c o w boy sen t by T o m .
-
,

w i fe w h o k ne w w el l w hat sort o f al l u re m en t detai ned hi m

, ,

w h en h e re m ai ned o u t a f t er a certai n h ou r w as i n atten ,

d a n ce to co n d u ct h is m a s ter h o m e I h ave n o d ou bt th at .

h e returned w i thout m e eti n g any m a terial i nj u ry as I k n o w ,

 F A IRI E S OR N O F A IRI E S .

th at w i t h i n t h e l ast m o nth h e w as to u s e h i s o w n w ord s

, , ,

As stou t a n d h earty a m an as any o f h is age i n the cou nty

C ork .

F A I R I E S O R N O FA I R I E S .

II I V .

J O H N M U L L I G A N w as as n e a n Ol d fel l o w as ever t h r e w
a Carlo w spu r i nto th e s ide s of a h orse H e w as besi des .
, ,

as j ol ly a b oo n co m pan i o n o v e r a u of p u n ch as y ou w ou l d
j g
m eet fro m C ar n s o r e Po i n t to Bl oody Farl a nd A nd a .

g o od h or s e h e u sed to ri d e ; a n d a s t ie r j u g O f p u n ch t h a n
'

h i s w as n ot i n n i netee n baro n i es M ay he h e st u ck m ore

.

to i t th a n h e o u gh t to h ave d o ne but that i s n oth i n g w h at

W
e ver to th e st o ry I am go i n to tel l
g .

J o h n b el ieved d evo u tl y i n fai ries ; an d a n a n gry m an

w as h e i f
y o u d ou bted th e m He h ad
. m ore fai ry stori e s
t ha n w ou l d m ake i f p ro p erl y pr i nted i n a ri v u l et of pri nt
,

r u n n i n g d o w n a m ea d o w o f m argi n t w o th i ck q u artos for

,

M r M u rray o f A l b e marl e stree t ; all o f w h i ch h e u sed to

.
,

tel l o n al l occasi o n s th at h e c o u l d n d l isteners M a ny

bel ieved h is stories m any m ore d id n ot bel ieve the m
.

b u t n obody i n process o f ti m e u sed to co n trad i ct th e o l d

, ,

g e ntle m an for,i t w as a p ity to v e x h i m B u t h e h ad a c o u .

ple O f you n g n ei ghb o u rs w h o w ere j u st co m e d o w n fro m

thei r rst vacati o n i n T ri n it y C ol l ege to Sp end th e su m m er
m o n th s w i th a n u n cl e o f the irs M r haley a n old C ro m
,
.

,

w e l lian w h o l i ved at B all b e m u ll i n ah o n e an d they w ere

, y g .
 F A IRI E S O R N O F A IRI E S . 57

too ful l of lo gic to l et th e O l d m an h av e h is o w n W ay u h

d is p u ted .

E very story h e tol d they lau gh ed at an d sai d th at i t w as ,

i m possi bl e th at i t w as m erel y o ld w o m an s gab bl e an d

,

o ther s u ch th i n gs Whe n h e w oul d i nsist th at al l h i s s to

r ies w ere deri ved fro m th e m ost cred i bl e sources n ay,
.

that so m e of the m h ad bee n tol d h i m by h i s o w n g r an d m o

th er a very res p ectabl e o ld l ady b u t sl igh tl y a ff ected i n
, ,

h er f acul ties as th i n gs th at ca m e u nder h er o w n k no w

,

l e d ge they c u t th e m atter sh ort b y decl ari n g that s h e w as

i n her d otage an d at th e best of ti m es h ad a stron g prope n
,

s ity to p u l l i n g a l on g b o w .

B ut sai d they J ack M ull i gan d i d o u e v e r s e e a

, , y

fa i ry you rself?
Never w as t h e repl y Never, as I am a m an o f
, .

h o n ou r and cred it .

Wel l th en th ey ans w er ed u nt i l y o u d o d o n o t b e
, ,

, ,

botheri n g us w i th a ny m ore tal es o f m y gra nd m other .

Jack w as p arti cul arly n ettl ed at t h is a n d took U p t h e ,

cud gel s f o r h is gran d m other ; b ut th e y o u n kers w ere t o o

sharp for h im an d nal ly h e got i nto a passio n as peopl e
, ,

general ly d o w h o h ave th e w orst o f a n argu me nt Th i s .

even i n g i t w as at th eir u n cle s an o l d cro n y o f h is, w i th ,

w h o m he h ad d i ned h e h ad take n a l arge porti o n o f h i s

u s u al b e v e r age an d w as qu i te ri otou s H e at l ast go t u p

, ,
.

i n a passion ordered h i s h orse a n d i n Sp ite o f h is h ost s

, , ,

e ntreaties gall o ed o ff al th ou gh h e h ad i nte n ded to h av e

, p ,

s l ep t there ; d eclari n g that h e w o ul d n o t h ave an y th i n g

m ore t o d o w it h a pai r i ac k an ap e s p uppies w h o because , ,

th ey h ad l earned h o w t o read good for n oth i n g b ooks i n - -

cra m p w riti n g a n d w ere tau gh t by a parcel O f w iggy , r e d

,

s n o u ted , prati ng pri gs n ot a d ded h e h o w ever th a t
, , , ,

I s ay a m an m ay n ot be a goo d m an a nd h ave a red

they i m agi ned they k ne w m o re t h a n a m an w h o h ad h el d
b u ckle an d ton gue togeth er fac in g th e w i n d o f th e w orl d
for ve d oze n years .

He ro d e o i n a f ret an d gal loped as h ard as h i s h orse

S hau n b u ie coul d p o w der a w ay over th e l i m esto ne Yes

i ndeed ! m uttered h e th e brats h ad m e i n o n e th i n gl
.
,

,

n ever d i d s e e a fairy ; a nd l w o u ld gi ve U v e as good

p
acres as ever gre w appl e potatoes to get a gl i m pse o f o ne -

and by the po w e rs ! w h at i s that ?
 FA I RI E S OR N O FA I RIE S .

H e l ooked an d s aw a gal lan t spectacl e H i s road lay

, .

by a n obl e d e m es ne gracefu l ly spr i nkled w i th trees n o t

, ,

th i ckly pla nted as i n a d ark forest b u t d i sp osed n o w i n , ,

cl u m p s o f ve o r S ix n o w stan d i n g s i n gly to w eri n g o ver

, ,

th e p l ai n o f ve rd u re arou n d the m as a bea u ti f u l p ro m o ntory

aris i n g o u t O f th e s e a He h ad co m e r igh t op p os ite th e
.

l ory o f th e w ood It as a n o ak w h i ch i n t he O l d est t i

g w .
,

tle deed s o f t he cou n ty a n d th ey w ere at l east ve h u n

-
,

d red ye ars O l d w as call ed th e O l d o ak o f B al li n gh as s ig

, .

A ge h ad h ol l o w ed i ts ce ntre bu t i ts m ass y bo u ghs stil l ,

w aved w ith the i r d ark serrated fol iage Th e m oo n w as .

s h i n i n g o n i t b ri gh t I f I w ere a poet l i ke M r Wo rd s
.
, .

w orth I s h oul d tel l o u h o w th e bea u ti f u l l igh t w as broke n

, y
i n to a th ou sa n d d i ff eren t f rag m e nts an d h o w i t lled the
e n ti re t r ee w i th a gl orio us ood bath i n g e very p arti e n ,

l ar l eaf an d s h o w i n g forth e ve ry p arti c u l ar bou gh ; b u t

, ,

as I am n o t a poet I Sh al l go o n w ith m story By th i s

, y .

l i g h t J ack s aw a bri ll ian t co m pa ny o f l o vel y l i ttl e for m s

d an c i n g u n der th e o ak w ith a n u n steady an d rol l i n g m o
t i on Th e co mpan y w as large S o m e s p read o u t far b e
. .

y o n d th e farthest bou nd ary o f th e s h ado w o f th e oak s

b ran c h es so m e w ere see n gl an c i n g th rou gh th e ash e s o f

l igh t Sh i n i n g th rough i ts leaves so m e w ere barel y v i s i bl e ,
n estl i n g u n der th e tru n k s o m e n o d ou bt w ere e nti rel y , ,

c o n ceal ed fro m h i s eyes Never d i d m an s e e an y th i n g

.

m ore beautifu l They w ere n ot t h ree i n ch es i n h ei gh t

.
,
b u t t h ey w ere w h i te as th e d ri ve n s no w a n d beyo n d n u m ,

ber n u m berless J ack thre w th e br i dle over h i s h orse s

.

n eck a n d d re w u p t o th e l o w w al l w h ic h b o u nd e d t h e
,

d e m esn e an d l ean i n g O ver i t su r veyed w i t h i n n i te de

, ,

l i gh t th e i r d i vers i ed ga m bol s
, B y l o o k in g lo n g at th e m
.
,

h e soo n s aw o bjects w h ic h h ad n ot struck h im at rst ; i n

partic u l ar th at i n th e m i d d le w as a c h i ef o f s u p erior s ta
t ure rou n d w h o m th e grou p appeared to m o ve H e gaze d
, .

s o l o n g th at h e w as q u i te o verco m e w i th j oy an d cou ld n o t ,

h el p sh o u ti n g o u t : B ravo ! l i ttle fel l o w
sai d h e w el l , ,

k i cked an d stro n g B u t th e i n stan t h e u ttered th e w or d s
.

th e n i gh t w as darke ned , an d th e fai r i es van i shed w i th th e

s peed o f l i h t n i n
g g .

I ish sai d Jack I h ad h el d m y ton g u e ; b u t n o
w ,

,
m a t ter n o w I s h al l j u st tu rn br i d l e abou t a nd go back t o
.

B ally b e gm u l li n ah o n e Castl e , an d beat t h e yo u n g M as ter

 F A IRI E S O R N O F A IRI E S . 59

W hale y s ne reasoners as th ey th i n k th e m sel ves o u t o f

, ,

th e el d cl ean .

N O soo ner sai d th a n d o ne : an d J ack w as b ack a g ai n as i f

u po n th e w i n gs o f th e w i nd He ra p ped ercely at th e
.

d oo r an d cal led al ou d for th e t w o col legians

,
.

Hal l oo ! said h e y ou n g Fl atca p s co m e d o w n i f y o u

, , ,

d are . C o m e do w n i f y o u dare an d I shal l gi ve y o u o c o c

, ,
-

oc u lar de m o nstrati o n O f th e tru th O f w h at I w as say i n g

.

O l d Wh aley p u t h i s h ead o u t O f th e w i n d o w an d s aid , ,

J ack M u l l i gan w h at b ri n s you bac k s o soo n ?
, g

The f airi es sho u ted J ack ; th e f a i ri es !
,
I
am a f rai d

m u t tered th e L ord o f B ally b e g m u ll in ah o n e
, ,
the las glass
t o u took w as to o l ittle w atered ; b u t n o m at
y

,

te r co m e i n a nd cool yo u rsel f over a tu m bler o f pu n ch .

H e ca m e i n a n d s at d o w n agai n at table I n great Sp i .

ri ts h e tol d h i s story ; h o w h e h ad see n th o u san d s an d

te ns of th o u san ds o f fai ries d an c in g abou t th e o ld o ak o f
B all in ghas s ig ; h e descri bed the i r beauti f u l dresses o f s h i n i n g
s il ver ; thei r at cro w ned h ats , gl i tter i n g i n th e m oo n
-

bea m s ; an d th e p ri n cel y stat u re and d e m e an o u r o f th e ce ntral

gure H e ad d ed th at h e heard th e m si n gi n g an d pl ay i n g
.
,

the m ost e n ch an ti n g m u si c ; b u t th i s w as m erel y i m agi n a

tion T h e y o u n g m e n l a u ghed b u t J ack hel d h i s gro u n d
.
, .

S u p p ose sai d o n e o f th e l ads
, w e j oi n co mp an y ,

w i th y o u o n th e road an d r i d e al on g to th e place w her e

, ,

o u s aw th at ne c o m p any o f f ai ries ?
y
D one ! cried J ack but I w i l l n o t pro m i se th at
; y o u
w i l l n d the m there f o r I s aw th e m scudd i n g u p i n t h e
,

Sky l i ke a i gh t o f bees a n d heard th e i r w i n gs w h izzi n g

,

throu gh the ai r T h i s yo u k n o w , w as a bou n ce fo r J ack
.
, ,

h ad heard n o su ch th i n g .

O ff rod e th e t h ree an d ca m e to th e d e m esne o f O ak

,

w ood They arr i ve d at th e w al l ank i n g th e el d w h ere

.

stoo d the great o ak ; and th e m oo n by th is ti m e h av i n g , ,

agai n e m erged f ro m th e cl o u ds sh on e bri gh t as w he n J ac k ,

h ad passed L oo k t here
. h e cried e x ul ti n gly : for the
, ,

sa m e s p ectacl e agai n ca u gh t h i s eyes an d h e poi nted to i t ,

w i th h i s h orse w h i p ; l ook , an d den y i f y o u can .

Why sai d o ne of th e l ads pau si n g true i t i s th at

, , ,

w e do s e e a co m pany o f w h ite creat u res ; but w ere they

fai ries ten ti m es over I sh al l go a m o n g t h e m; an d h e
,

d i s m ou nted to cl i m b o ver t h e w al l .
 W
60 R
FA I IE S 0R NO FA IRI E S.

A h, T o m ! T o m , cri ed Jack stop , m an s tO p ! w h at ,

,

ar e y o u d oi n g ? Th e fairies th e good peo p l e I m ean ,

h ate to be m e d d l ed w ith Y o u w i l l be p i n ch ed o r bl i nded ;

.

or you r h orse w i l l cast i ts Sh oe ; o r l ook ! a w ilfu l m an

w i l l h ave h i s w ay
. O h ! o h ! h e i s al m ost at th e o ak G o d

h el p h i m ! fo r h e i s past th e h el p O f m an .

B y th is ti m e T o m w as u n der th e tree , an d b d r s t o u t

l au gh i n g.
J ack sai d h e kee p y o u r prayers to yo u r
, ,

sel f Y ou r fai ries are n ot ba d at al l I bel ieve th ey i l l

. .

W

m ake tol erabl y good catsup .

Catsup sai d J ack w h o w h e n h e fou nd that th e t w o
, , ,

l ad s (fo r the seco n d h ad fol l o w ed h is broth er ) w e re both

l a u gh i n g i n th e m i d dl e o f th e f ai r i es h ad d i s m o u nted a n d ,

ad van ced sl o w ly Wh at d o y o u m ea n by cats u p ?
Noth i n g repl ie d T o m
bu t that th ey are m u s h
, ,

r oo m s
( as i n deed th ey w ere : a n d y o ur O bero n i s m er e ly
)

t h i s ov ergro w n pu ff bal l -
.

P oor M u l l i gan gave a l on g w h i stl e o f a m aze m en t stag ,

e r e d back t o h i s h orse w i th ou t say i n g a o rd a n d ro d e

g ,
h o m e i n a h ard ga llo p n ever l ook i ng beh i n d h im M an y
, .

a l on g d ay w as i t be f ore h e v en tu red to face th e l a u gh ers

at B al ly b e g m u lli n ah o n e ; an d to the d a y o f h i s d eath t h e
peopl e o f the pari sh ay an d v e par i shes rou n d cal le d
, ,

h im n oth i n g b ut m u s h ar o o n J ack s u ch b e i n g t h e i r p r o n u n,

c iat i o n o f m u sh roo m .

I sho u l d be sorry i f al l my fa i ry stories e n ded w it h s o

l i ttl e d i g n i ty : bu t

The s e o u r act o rs ,

A s I f o r e t o l d y o u w e r e al l s p i r it s
, an d
A r e m e lte d i nt o air i n t o t h in air
,

.
 The n ame SH E FR O , b y w h ic h the fo r e go i ng
cti o n is di s ti ngui s he d se ,

lite r ally s i n i e s a f ai ry h o u s e o r m an s i o n ,
g an d is ado pt e d as a g e

n e r al n am e f o r t he Elv e s w h o ar e s u pp o s e d t o li ve in t r o o p s o r c o m

mu n itie s an d w e r e p o p u l ar l y s u p p o s e d t o hav e c as tl e s o r m an s i o n s
,

of t he i r o w n Se e S t e w ar t s P op u lar S up e r s t i ti o n s of the H ig h
.

-
r

lan ds , 1 823, pp 90, 9 1 , & c . .

S i a, s ig h, si
g h e, si
g he an n , s i ab hr a, s i ac h ai r e , s i og i dh, are I ri s h
w o r ds , e vi de n tly s pr i n g i ng f r o m a c o m mo n C e ltic r o o t u s e d t o e x ,

e a f a i ry o r g o b li n an d e v e n a h ag o r w itc h T hu s w e h av e
p r s s , .

t he c o mp o u n d s L e an n am s ig h e a fam ili ar f r o m L e an n an a p e t
-
, , , .
,

an d S i og h dhr ao i dh e ac h d e n c han t m e n t w ith o r b y s p i r its

, .

Sig h g d o i the o r s i ahe an n g ci o i the a w h i rl w i n d is s o t e r m e d -

, ,

b e c au s e i t is s ai d t o b e r ai s e d b y the fai r i e s T he clo s e o f day is .

c all e d Si a b e c aus e t w ili ght

, ,

Th t a sw e e t h o u r , w h e n d ay i s a lmo s t clo sin g,

is th e ti me w h e n t he f ai r i e s ar ei m o s t f r e qu e n tly Se e n . A ga n , S ig h
is a h i ll o r hil lo c k b e c au s e t he fai r i e s ar e b e li e ve d t o
, ll it i dw e w h n ,

S i dhe s i dh e adh an d s ig h ar e n am e s f o r a b l as t o r b li ght b e c au s e

, , , ,

it is s u pp o s e d t o p r o c e e d f r o m t h e f ai r i e s .

The t e r m S hog e s i e S ig h ag e s (y o u n g o r littl e s p ir it s ) Fai

, . .
,
-r

r i e s is u s e d i n a c u r io us o e m i t d u n d e r t h e n am e o f T h e

, p p r n e

I r i s h H u di b r as 1 689 p p 23 an d 81 ; a c o py o f w hic h e nt itl e d

,

, .
, ,

T h e F i n g alli an Tr av e s ty is am o n g t he Sl o an e M SS N o 900
,

. . .

In t he Th i r d P ar t o f O Flahe r ty s O gyg i a i t is r e l at e d th at S t P a

,
.

t r i c k an d s o me o f his fo ll o w e r w h o w e r e c han ti ng m ati n s b e s i de a

s ,

f o u n t ai n w e r e t ak e n fo r
, S i dhe o r fai r i e s b y s o m e p ag an l ad i e s, ,

.

T he Iris h, cc o r di ng t o t he R e v J ame s H e ly s t ran s l ati o n o f

a .

O F lah e r ty

c al l the s e S i d he a er i al s p i r its o r phant o ms b e caus e
,

, ,

t he y ar e s e e n to c o me o u t o f pl e as an t h ill s w he r e t h e c o mm o n ,

p e o p l e i m ag i n e t h e y r e s i d e w h i c h c titi o u s h ab it ati o
, n s ar e c all e d

by us S i dhe or S i o dha .

Fo r a si m il ar e xte n de d us e o f t he Ge r m an w o rd A lp , E lf , & c .

see I ntr o duct o ry Es s ay to the Gr mms i

I r i s c he E len mii r c he m [313 '

55 62 .

6
LE GE N D S OF THE CLUR I CA UN E .

W ,
T hat s o tti s h e lf
h o qu a s w it h s w o ll e n li ps t he r ub y w i ne
'

D r ai n i n g t he c e ll ar w it h as f r e e a han d
A s if it w e r e his p u r s e w h ic h n e e r l ac k e d c o i n ;

U p o n his w as te f u l p r an k s an d r e ve l ry
,

In s o me s e cl u de d d e l l o r lo ne ly gr o ve
Tin s e l d b y T w il ig ht

.

A n d t he n w it h f e ig n d c o n t r iti o n r u min ate s

,
,

THE HA U N T E D C E LLA R .

IX .

Th ere are fe w peopl e w h o h ave n o t h eard o f the M ac

C ar t h ie s on e o f the real ol d I rish fa m il ies w i th th e tru e ,

M i lesian bl ood r u n n i n g i n th ei r vei ns as th i ck as butter ,

m i lk M any w ere th e cla ns o f th i s f a m i ly i n the so uth ; as

the M ac Carthy m ore an d th e M ac Carthy reagh an d
.

- -

th e M ac Carth y o f M usk erry ; an d al l o f t h e m w ere n ote d

for th ei r h os p i tal i ty to stran gers gentle an d s i m p le
,
.

B u t not o n e o f th at n a m e o r o f any other exceeded

, ,

J usti n M ac Carthy o f B al l i n ac ar th y at p u tti n g plenty to

, ,

eat an d dr i nk u po n h i s table ; a n d th e r e w as a ri gh t h e arty

 64 TH E H AUN T E D C E LL A R .

w el c o me f o r e v e ry o n e w h o w ou l d s hare i t w i t h h im .

M an y a w i n e cel lar w oul d be as h a m ed o f th e n a m e i f th a t

-

at B allin ac ar th y w as th e proper patter n f o r o n e ; l ar ge as th at

cel lar w as i t w as cro w d ed w i th bi ns o f w i n e an d l o n g ro w s
, ,

o f p ipes an d h ogsheads , an d casks that i t w o u l d tak e m or e

, ,

ti m e to cou n t th a n any sober m an cou l d S p are i n s u ch a

'

p l ace w i th plen ty t o d r i n k abou t h im , a n d a h earty w e l

,

co m e to d o s o .

Th ere are m a n y n o dou bt w h o w i l l th i n k th at th e bu t

, ,

le r w oul d h ave l ittle to c o m p l a i n o f i n s uch a h ouse ; an d th e

w h ole cou ntry rou n d w o u l d h ave agreed w it h the m i f a ,

m an c ou l d be fou n d to re m ai n as M r M ac Carthy s b u tl er .

f o r an y l en gth o f ti m e w ort h S p eak i n g o f ; yet n ot o n e w h o

h ad bee n i n h is s erv i ce gav e h im a bad w ord .

We h ave n o fau lt th ey w oul d s ay to n d w i th t he
,

,

m aster ; an d i f h e co ul d b u t get an y o n e to fetch h i s w i n e

f r o m th e cel lar , w e m i gh t every o n e Of u s h ave gro w n gray
i n t h e h ou se an d h ave l i ved q u iet an d co nte n ted e n ou g h
,

i n h is serv i ce u nt i l th e e n d o f o u r d a y s .

T is a q ueer th i n g th at s urely th ou gh t yo u n g Jack

, ,

Leary a lad w h o had bee n brou gh t u p fro m a m ere ch il d

,

i n t h e stables o f B all i n ac ar th y to assist i n tak i n g car e o f th e

h orses , an d h ad occas i on al ly le n t a h an d i n th e b u tler s pa n
try : a m i gh ty queer t h i n g su rel y t h at o n e man after
, ,

an ot h er can n o t co nte n t h i m sel f w it h the best place i n th e

h o u se o f a go o d m aster, b u t th at e very o n e o f th e m m ust
q u i t all th rou g h t h e m ean s as they s ay o f the w i n e cel lar

W
-
.
, , ,

I f th e m aster l o n g l i f e t o h i m ! w oul d bu t m ake m e h i s

,

b utler I w arran t n ever th e w ord m ore w o ul d be h eard o f

,

gru m b l in g at h i s b i dd i n g to go to th e w i n e cel l ar -
.

You n g L eary accord i n gl y w atch ed for w h at b e co n ce i ve d

t o b e a f avo u rabl e Opportu n ity o f prese nti n g h i m sel f to th e
n oti ce o f h is m aster .

A fe w m orn i n gs after , M r M ac Carth y w e n t i nto h i s

.

s t able yard rather earl i er th an u sual a n d cal led l oud ly f o r

-
,

t he g ro o m to sadd le h i s h orse as h e i n te n ded goi n g o u t

,

w i t h t he h ou n ds B ut there w as n o gro o m to ans w er an d

.
,

y o u n g Jack Leary l ed Rai n bo w o u t o f the stabl e .

h e re i s Wi l li a m ?
i n q u i red M r M ac Carthy . .

; an d M r M ac C arth y repeat e d t h e
S i r sa i d Jack
? .
 T HE H A U N TE D C LL A R
E . 65

Is i t W i ll i a m please you r h o no ur ? r e tu r n e d Jack ;
,
w h t h en t o tel l the truth , b e h ad j ust o ne drop t o o m u c h
y , ,

l ast n i gh t .

Where d i d h e
g e t i t ? said M r M ae Cart h y ; f o r s i n c e .

Th o m as w e nt a w ay th e key o f the w i ne cell ar h as bee n i n

,
-

m y p ocket an d I h ave bee n obl i ged to fetc h w h at w as

,

d ran k m ysel f .

S orro w a k n o w I k n o w sai d Leary u nl ess th e cook

, ,

m i gh t h ave give n h i m the le as t tas te i n l i f e o f w h iskey .

B ut c o nti n u ed h e per for m i n g a l o w ho w b y sei zi ng w i t h
, ,

h i s ri gh t h an d a l ock o f h ai r an d p ull i n g d o w n h i s h ead by,

i t w h ilst h i s le f t l eg w h i c h h ad bee n pu t for w ard , w as

,

scr aped back agai nst th e grou nd m

ay I m ake S O b ol d as ,

j ust to ask yo u r h o n o u r o n e q u esti o n ?
S eak o u t J ack sai d M r M ac Carth y
p , ,
. .

Why then does you r h on ou r w a n t a bu tl er ?

, ,

Can o u reco m m e n d m e o n e returned h i s m aster
y , ,

w i th a s m i le o f goo d h u m ou r u p o n h i s c ou ntenan ce an d

,

o n e w h o w i l l n ot be afrai d o f go i n g to m y w i ne cel lar ? -

IS th e w i ne cel lar al l the m atter ? sa id you n g Leary :

-
'

n ot a do u b t h ave 1 o f m ysel f the n f o r th a t .

S o you m ean to o ffer m e yo u r se rv i ces i n th e capacity

o f b utler ?

sai d M r M ae Carthy w i th so m e su rp ri se
.
, .

E xactly s o a ns w ered Leary , n o w f o r th e rst ti me
,

l ook i n g u p f ro m th e grou n d .

Wel l I bel i eve o u to b e a good l ad a n d h ave n o o h

, y ,

e c t io n to gi v e y o u a trial
j .

Lo n g m ay y o u r h o n o u r rei gn over u s an d t h e Lord ,

Spare yo u to u s ! ejac u l ated Leary w ith an other n atio nal ,

b o w as h i s m aster rode o ff ; an d h e conti n ued for so m e

,

ti m e to gaze a f ter h i m w ith a vaca nt stare w h ich sl o w ly ,

and grad u al ly as su m ed a l ook of i m p ortan ce

Jack L eary sai d h e at l en gth Jack i s i t J ack ?
.

,
, ,

i n a tone O f w o nder ; fai th tis n ot J ack n o w bu t M r

,

, .

J oh n th e bu tler ; an d w i th ah ai r o f beco m i n g co u se
,

ue n c e h e s t r id e d o u t of t h e stable yar d to w ards the k i t

q
-

chen .

I t is O f l ittl e pur p ort to m y story al th ou gh i t m ay a ff o rd ,

an i n stru cti ve l esso n to th e reader to d e p ict the sudde n ,

transiti o n o f n obody i nto so m eb ody J ac k s f or m er stable .

c o mpan i o n a poor superan n u ated h ou n d na m ed Bran , w h o

,
66 T HE H A U N T E D CE LL A R .

h ad b e e n accu sto m ed to rece i ve m an y a n a ffecti o nate tap

o n th e h ead w as spu rn ed f ro m him w i th a k i ck a n d an
,

O ut o f th e w ay si rrah , I n deed p oor Jack s m e m ory
.
,

s ee m ed sadl y a ffected b y th i s su d d e n ch an ge o f sit u ati o n .

W h at establ ish ed th e po i n t b eyo n d al l d o u bt w as h i s al m ost

f orgetti n g th e pretty face o f Pe g gy th e k itch e n w e n ch , ,

w hose h eart h e h ad assail ed b ut th e p reced i n g w eek b y th e

o ff er o f pu rc h asi n g a gol d ri n g for th e f o u rth n ger o f h er

r igh t h a n d a n d a l usty i m pr i n t o f good w i l l u po n h er l i p s

,
-
.

Whe n M r M ac C art h y retur ne d fro m h u nti n g h e se n t

.
,

f o r Ja ck Leary s o h e sti l l con ti n ued to c al l h i s n e w b u t

l er .
-
Jack sa i d h e I bel ieve yo u are a tr u st w orth y
,

,

l ad a n d h ere are the k e y s o f m y cell ar I h ave asked th e

,
.

gen tl e m e n w i th w h o m I h u nted to day to d i ne w ith m e -

,

an d l h O p e they m ay be satised at th e w ay i n w h ic h y o u
w i l l w ait o n the m at table ; b u t, ab ov e al l l et there be n o ,

w a n t o f w i n e after d i n ner .

M r Jo h n h av i n g a tol erab l y qu i ck e y e f o r su c h t h i n gs
.
,

an d be i n g n atural ly a h an dy l ad spread h i s cl oth accord ,

i n gly l ai d h is plates a n d k n i ves a n d f orks i n th e sa m e

,

m an ner he h ad seen h is predecessors i n o fce perfor m thes e

m ysteries a n d real ly f o r th e rst ti m e , got th rou gh at
, ,

t endan ce o n d i n ner very w ell .

It m u st n ot b e forgotte n h o w ever th at i t w as at th e
, ,

h ouse o f a n Iri sh cou ntry squ ire w h o w as e ntertai n i n g a ,

c o m pan y o f booted an d Spurre d f o x h u n ters n ot very par -

,

t i c u l ar about w h at are con s idered m atters o f i n n ite i m p or

tan ce u nder oth er c irc u m stances a n d i n other societies .

F o r i n sta nce f e w o f M r M ac Carth y s guests (th ou gh

.
, ,

all e xcel l en t a n d w o rthy m e n i n thei r w ay ) cared m u ch ,

w heth e r t h e p u n c h pro d u ced a fter so u p w as m ad e o f J a

m a i ca o r A n ti g u a r u m ; so m e e ve n w o ul d n o t h av e bee n
i ncl i ned to questio n the correctness o f good Ol d Iri sh w his
k e y ; an d w ith the excepti o n o f th e ir l i beral h ost h i m sel f
, ,

e very o n e i n co m pa n y p referred the p ort w h i c h M r M ac .

C arth y p u t o n h i s tabl e to the less a r d en t avo u r o f c laret

a ch o ice rath er at vari an ce w i th m oder n se nti m en t
,

I t w as w ax i n g n ear m id n i gh t w h e n M r M ac C arth y , .

ran g th e bel l th ree t i m es Th is w as a si gn al f o r m ore w i n e ;

.

an d J ack pro c e ed ed to th e cel lar t o p roc u re a f resh s u ly

pp ,

bu t i t m ust he c o n fess e d n o t w ith ou t so m e l i ttle hesitatio n .

 TH E H AUN T ED C E LL AR . 67

Th e l u xu ry O f ic e w as then u nk no w n i n t h e south o f
Irel an d ; bu t th e su p eri ority of cool w i ne h ad bee n ac e

k n o w ledged by al l m e n o f so u n d j u d gm en t a n d tr u e taste .

Th e g r and father o f M r M ac Carthy w h o h ad b u i l t th e

.
,

m a nsi o n o f B all in ac ar th y u p o n th e S ite O f an Old castl e -

w h i ch h ad belonged to h i s an cestors w as f ul ly a w are o f ,

th is i m p ortan t fact ; an d i n th e co n str u ction o f h is m agn i

cen t w i ne cel lar h ad availe d h i m sel f o f a d ee p va u l t e x c a
-
,

v ate d o u t o f th e sol i d rock i n f or m er ti m es as a p lace o f

retreat a n d sec u rit y T he d escen t to th i s v a u l t w as b y
.

a ight o f stee p stone stairs an d he r e an d there i n th e w al l

,

w ere narro w p assages I o u gh t rather to cal l th e m crev i ces ;

an d al so certa i n p rojectio ns w h i c h cast dee p sh ad o w s an d ,

l ooked ver y fri ght f u l w he n a n y o n e w ent d o w n th e cellar

stairs w ith a si ngle l i gh t : i ndeed t w o l i ghts d id n o t m u c h
,

i m prove th e m atter f o r th ou gh th e brea d th of th e sh ad o w s

,

beca m e less the n arro w crev i ces re m ai ned as dark an d

,

d arker th an ever .

S u m m o n i n g u p all h is resol ut i on d o w n w en t t h e n e w ,

b utler beari n g i n h i s ri ght h an d a la nter n an d th e ke y o f

,

t h e ce l lar an d i n h i s le f t a basket w h ich h e considere d

, ,

su fci ently ca p ac ious to con tai n a n adeq u ate stoc k for th e

re m ai n der o f the eve n in g ; h e arrive d at th e d oor w ith out
an y i nterruptio n w h atever ; bu t w he n h e pu t th e key
w h i ch w as O f a n an cie nt an d cl u m sy k i nd for i t w as be f ore
,

the d a y s o f Bra m ah s pate n t an d t u rned i t i n the l ock

, ,

h e th o u gh t h e h eard a stran ge k i n d o f l au gh i n g w ith i n th e

cel lar to w h ic h so m e e m p t y bottles th at stood u p o n th e
,

oor outs ide v i brated so v iole ntly th at th ey str u ck agai nst ,

eac h other : i n th is h e coul d n ot be m istaken al thou gh h e ,

m ay h ave bee n deceived i n the l a u gh ; for the bottl es w ere

j ust at h i s f eet an d he s aw the m i n m otion
, .

Leary p aused f o r a m o m ent an d l ooked abo u t h im w i th

,

beco m i ng ca u tio n He then b ol d ly seize d the h and le o f

.

th e k ey a nd t u rned i t w ith al l h i s stren gth i n th e l ock as

, ,

i f he d o u bted h is o w n p o w er o f d o i n g so ; an d t h e d oor
e w O p en w ith a m ost tre m en d o u s crash th at if th e h o u se , ,

h ad n o t been bu i l t u po n the sol i d rock w o u ld h ave shook ,

i t fro m th e fo u n d a tio n .

To recou n t w h at t he poor fell o w s aw w oul d be im p o s s i

tale fo r he see m s n ot to k n o w v er y cl e arl y h i m s e l f : but
,
68 THE HAU N T E D C E L LA R .

w h a t h e tol d t h e cook th e ne x t m orn i n g w as t h at h e h e ar d ,

a roar i n g an d bel lo w i n g l ike a m ad b ul l an d th at all t h e ,

p ipes an d hogshe ads an d casks i n th e cel lar w e n t ro ck i n g

b ack w ards an d for w ard s w ith s o m u c h for ce , th at h e
t h ou gh t every o n e w oul d h av e bee n st aved i n an d th at h e ,

s h ou l d h av e bee n d ro w ned o r s m othered i n w i n e .

Wh e n Leary recovered , h e m ad e h i s w ay back as w el l

as h e co ul d t o the d i n i n g roo m w h ere h e fou n d h is m aste r
-
,

an d th e co m pan y very i m pat i e nt for h i s retur n .

Wh at kept yo u ? sa i d M r
:
M ac C arthy i n an an gry
.

v o i ce ; an d w h ere i s th e w i n e ? I r u n g f o r i t h al f an h ou r

s i n ce
.

T h e w i n e i s i n th e cel lar I h O p e s ir sa i d Jack,
, , ,

tre m bl i n g v i ole ntly ; I h O p e t is n ot al l l ost
.

Wh at do o u m ean fool ? ex cl ai m e d M r M ac C art h y
y , .

i n a stil l m ore an gry to ne : w hy d i d y o u n o t fetc h so m e

w i th y o u ?

J ack l ooke d w i l dl y a b o u t h i m , an d o n l y uttered a deep

g roa n .

Gentl e m en sa i d M r M ac Cart h y to h i s gu ests th i s

, .
,

i s to o m u ch . Whe n I n ext s e e yo u to d i n ner I h ope i t ,

w i l l b e i n an oth er h ou se for i t i s i m possi bl e I can re m a i n

,

l on ger i n th i s , w h ere a m an h as n o co m m an d o ver h i s o w n

w i n e cel lar an d can n ot get a b u tl er to d o h i s du ty
-
,
I have .

l o n g th ou gh t o f m ov i n g fro m B al li n ac ar th y ; an d I am n o w
deter m i n ed w ith th e b less i n g o f G od to l eave i t to m orro w
, ,
-
.

B ut w i n e sh al l y o u h ave w ere I to go m y sel f to th e cell ar

,

for i t . S o sayi n g h e rose f ro m th e tabl e took the key
, ,

an d l anter n fro m h i s h al f s tu p ie d ser vant w h o regarded ,

h i m w it h a l ook o f vacan cy an d d escen d ed the n arro w

,

s tai rs al ready described w h ich l ed to h is cell ar

, , .

W h e n h e arr i ved at th e d oor w h ic h h e f o u nd open h e , ,

th ou gh t h e h eard a n o ise as i f o f rats o r m i ce scra m bl i n g

,

O ver th e casks a n d o n ad vanc i n g perce i v ed a l ittle g ur e

, ,

abo u t si x i n c hes i n hei gh t seated astrid e U po n th e pi e O f

, p
th e o ldest p ort i n the p lace an d beari n g th e S p igot u po n
,

h i s S h o u lder Rai si n g th e lantern M r M ac Carth y co n

.
, .

t e m p l ate d th e l i ttl e f el lo w w ith w on d er : h e w ore a red

n i gh tcap o n h i s h ead ; b e f ore h i m w as a sh ort leather a ron
p ,

w h ich n o w , fro m h i s attit u d e fel l rather o n o n e Side ; an d

,

h e had s tock i ngs o f a l i g h t bl ue col ou r, s o l on g as n ear ly t o

 THE H AU N T E D C E LLAR . 69

cover th e e ntir e O f h i s l egs ; w i t h s h oes h av i n g h ug e s i l ver ,

buckles i n the m , an d w ith h i gh h eel s (perh aps o u t o f v an i ty

to m ake h i m ap p ear tal ler ) H is face w as l ike a w i thered .

w i nter a p p le ; an d h i s n ose w h i ch w as O f a bri g h t cri m so n ,

col o u r about the t ip w ore a d el icate p u rpl e bl oo m , l ike

,

that o f a pl u m : yet h is eyes t w i nk led

l ik e th o s e m ite s
Of c an d e d i de w in m o o n y n ig h t s

an d h is m outh t w i tch ed u p at o n e si d e w i th a n arch gri n .

Ha sco u ndrel ! e x cl ai m ed M r M ac Carthy h ave I

foun d you at last ? d ist urber of m y cel lar w h at are y o u
,
.
,
'

d oi n g there ?


S ure an d m aster returned th e l i t tl e fell o w l ook i n g
, , ,

u
p at h i m w i th o ne eye a n d w i th the other th ro
,
w i n g a sl
y
glan ce to w ards th e Sp i got o n h is Sh ou l d er a n t w e goi n g ,

to m ove to m orro w ? an d sure y o u w o u l d n o t leave your

-

o w n l ittl e C l u ri cau ne N a e n e e n beh i n d ou?
gg y
O h ! tho u gh t
M r M ac Carthy if
y o u are t o foll o w
.
,

m e M aster N agge n e e n 1 do n t s e e m uch u s e i n q u itti n g

, ,

B all in ac ar th y S o ll i n g w ith w i n e t he basket w h ic h
.

yo u n g L eary i n h i s f ri gh t h ad le f t b eh i n d h im, an d lock i n g

th e cel lar d oor h e rejo i ned h i s guests
, .

For so m e years a f ter M r M ac C arthy h ad al w ays t o , .

fetch th e w i n e f o r h is tabl e h i m sel f as the l i ttl e C l u ricau n e ,

N agge n e e n see m ed to f eel a p erso nal respect to w ards h i m .

Not w ithstand i n g th e l abo u r of these jo u rneys th e w orth y ,

l ord o f B allin ac ar thy l ived i n h i s p atern al m a n sio n to a

good rou n d age an d w as fa m o u s to the l ast for the excel
,

l en ce of h i s w i ne an d th e co n v i v ial ity o f h i s co m p an y ; b ut
,

at th e ti m e o f h is death th at sa m e co nv i v ial i t y h ad n earl y

,

e m p tied h i s w i ne cellar ; an d as i t w as n ever s o w el l lled

-

agai n n or s o Often v isited th e revel s o f M aster N agge n e e n

, ,

beca m e less celebrated an d are n o w o n l y Spo k en o f ,

a m o n gst th e l e g endar y l ore o f the co u ntry I t i s e ven sai d .

that th e poor l ittle fello w took th e decle n sion o f th e cel lar

s o to heart that h e beca m e n egl igen t an d careless o f h i m
,

sel f an d that h e has been so m eti m es see n go i n g a b ou t w i t h

,

h ard l y a s k r e e d to cover h i m .

S o m e h o w ever bel ieve that h e tu rned brog u e m aker

, ,
-
,

an d a sse rt that t h ey h ave s e e n h i m at h i s w ork , an d heard

7O M ASTE R A N D MAN .

h im wh i stl i n g as m erry as a bl ackb i rd o n a M ay m or n

i n g u nder th e sh ad o w o f a bro w n j u g o f foa m i n g al e
'

, ,

b i gge r ay b i g ger th a n h i m sel f; dece ntl y dressed e n ou gh ,

th ey s ay ; O n ly l ook i n g m i ghty ol d B ut sti l l ti s clear
.

h e has h i s w its ab ou t hi m si nce n o o n e ever h ad th e l u ck

,

to catc h h i m or to get h ol d o f th e purse h e h as w i th h i m ,

,

w h i c h th ey cal l s r e n a s ki llin a h
p
- -

g an d tis
, s a i d i s neve r

w ith o ut a sh i ll i n g i n i t.

M A ST E R A N D M A N .

X .

B I LL Y M A C D A N I E L w as o nce as l i kel y a you n g m an as

e ve r sh ook h is brog u e at a p atro n e m ptied a qu art o r
, ,

h and led a s h i l lelagh : f ear i n g for n oth i n g b u t th e w a nt o f

d ri n k ; cari n g f o r n oth i n g bu t w ho sh ou ld pay for i t ; a n d
th i nk i n g o f n oth i n g bu t ho w t o m ake fu n over i t : d ru n k
o r sober a w ord a n d a bl o w w as ever th e w a w i th B i lly
, y
M ac Dan iel ; an d a m i ghty easy w ay i t i s o f e ither getti n g
i nto or end i n g a d isp u t e . M o re i s th e pity th at throu g h ,

th e m ean s o f h is d ri n ki n g an d feari ng an d cari n g f o r

,

n oth i n g th i s sa m e Bi l l y M ac D an iel f el l i nto bad co m pa ny ;

,

f o r s u rely th e good p eopl e are th e w orst o f all c o m pan y

any o n e coul d co m e across .

It s o h appen ed that B illy w as go i n g h o m e o n e clear

frosty n i g h t n o t l o n g after C h r i st m as ; t he m oo n w as rou n d
 MA S T E R A N D MA N . 71

an d br i g h t ; bu t al t h ou gh i t w as as n e a n ig h t as h eart
c oul d w ish for h e f el t p i n ched w ith the col d By my

, .

w or d ch attered B il ly a d ro p o f good l i q u or w o u l d b e
, ,

n o bad th i n g to keep a m an s soul fro m f reezi n g i n h i m ;

an d I w i sh I h ad a f u l l m eas u re o f the best .

Never w i sh i t t w i ce
B illy sai d a l ittl e m an i n a
, ,

th ree cornered h at bou n d al l a b o u t w i th gol d l ace an d

-
, ,

w i th great si l ver bu ckles i n h is sh oes s o bi g th at i t w as a ,

w o n der h o w h e cou l d carry the m a n d h e h el d o u t a gl ass ,

as bi g as h i m sel f lle d w ith as good l i q u or as ever ey e

,

looked o n o r l i p taste d .

S u ccess m y l i ttle fel l o w

,

sai d B il ly M ac D an iel , ,

n oth i n g dau nted th ou gh w el l he k n e w

,
th e l ittl e m an t o
bel on g t o th e g o o d p e op le ; here s you r h eal th any w ay

, ,

an d than k you k i n dly ; n o m atter w h o pays f o r th e d ri n k ;
an d he took th e gl ass an d d ra i ne d i t to th e very botto m ,
w i t h ou t eve r taki n g a seco n d breath to i t .

S u ccess sai d the l ittl e m an ; an d y o u re h eartil y
,

w elco m e B i lly ; but d on t th i nk t o ch eat m e as y o u h av e

,

d o ne others,o u t w it h y our purse an d p ay m e l i ke a gen

tle m an .

Is I pay y o u ? sai d B ill y : coul d I n ot just tak e

it

o u u p a n d p u t y o u i n m y p ocket as eas i ly as a bl ac k berr y ?
y
B i ll y M ac Dan iel sai d th e l i ttle m an getti n g very
, ,

an gry y o u Sh al l b e m y servan t f o r seven years an d a d a

, y ,

an d th at i s th e w ay I w i l l be p a i d ; s o m ake ready to f ol lo w

me .

W he n B ill y h ear d th is h e bega n to be very sorry f o r ,

h av i n g u sed su c h b ol d w or d s to w ard s the l it tl e m an ; an d

h e fel t h i m sel f yet c o u l d n ot tel l h o w o b l i ge d to foll o w
, ,

the l ittl e m an th e l i vel on g n i g ht abo u t the cou ntry u p an d ,

do w n an d over h e d ge an d d itch an d thr o u gh ho g an d

, ,

brake w ith o u t an y rest

, .

Wh e n m orn i n g be gan to d a w n th e l ittle m an tur ned ,

rou n d to hi m an d said Y o u m ay n o w go h o m e B il l y
, , ,

b u t o n your p eri l d o n t f ai l to m eet m e i n the Fort e l d -

t o n i ght ; o r i f y o u d o i t m ay be th e w orse for y o u i n th e

-
,

l on g ru n If I nd you a good servant, you w i l l nd m e a n

.

i n d u l gent m aster .

H o m e w ent B illy M ac Dan iel ; an d th ou gh h e w as tire d

an d w e ary en ou gh , n e ver a w i n k o f sl eep cou ld h e get f o r
72 MA S T E R AN D MA N .

t h i n ki n g o f th e l i ttle m an ; b u t h e w as afra i d n o t to d o h is
b idd i n g s o u p h e got i n th e eve n i n g a n d a w ay h e w e n t to
, ,

th e F ort e l d H e w as n ot l o n g th ere before th e l ittl e m an

-
.

ca m e to w ar d s h i m a n d said B i ll y I w a n t to go a l o n g , ,

j ou rn ey to n i gh t ; s o sadd l e o n e o f m y h orses an d you m ay

-
,

s add le an other f o r yo ursel f as you are to go al o n g w i th m e ,

,

an d m ay b e tired a f ter yo u r w al k last n i g h t .

B il ly th ou gh t th i s very co n si derate o f h is m aste r an d ,

th anke d h i m accord i n gly : B u t sai d b e

i f I m ay b e , ,

s o b old s ir I w oul d ask w h i c h i s t h e w ay t o yo u r stab le

, , ,
for n ever a th i n g d o I s e e b u t th e f ort h ere an d the o ld ,

th orn tree i n th e cor ner o f th e eld a n d th e strea m r u n ,

n i n g at th e botto m o f th e h il l w i t h t h e b i t o f b e o ver
g ,

agai nst u s .

As
k n o quest i o n s B i l ly
sa i d th e l i ttl e m an
, , b u t go ,

o ver to that b it o f bog an d br i n g m e t w o o f th e stro n ges t

,

r ush es you ca n n d .

B il ly d i d accord i n gl y w o nd er i n g w h at the l i ttl e ma n

,

w o u l d b e at ; an d h e i cke d o u t t w o o f th e sto u test r d s h s

p
h e coul d nd w i th a l ittl e b u n ch Of bro w n bl osso m Stuc k
,

at th e s i de o f each a n d b rou gh t t he m b ack to h i s m a s ter

, .

Get U p B i l ly sai d the l ittle m an , t aki n g o n e o f th e

, ,

r ush es f ro m h i m a n d str i d i n g across i t .

Wh ere w i l l I get U p p l ease you r h o n ou r ? sa i d B ill y
,

.

W h y u po n h orseback l ike m e
, t o be su re
, s ai d t he , ,
l i ttl e m an .

Is i t after m ak i n g a fool o f m e yo u d be sa i d B i l ly
, ,
b i d d i n g m e get a h orse b ack U o n that b it o f a ru sh ?
p
-
M a y
b e y ou w a n t to p ers u ade m e th at th e r u sh I p u l led bu t

a w h il e ago o u t o f the b og o ver t h ere i s a h orse ?


U p ! u p ! a n d n o w ord s sai d th e l ittl e m an l o oki n g , ,

very vex ed ; the best h orse y o u ever rod e w as b u t a fo o l

to i t.

S O B il ly th i n k i n g al l th i s w as i n j ok e a n d f eari n g
, ,

t o v e x h is m aster stra d d led across th e r u s h : Borra m !

,

B orra m ! B orra m cr i ed th e l i ttl e m an th ree ti m es (w h i c h

i n E n g l i sh m ean s to beco m e great ) an d B i l ly d i d th e sa m e
, ,

after h i m : p rese ntl y the r u shes s w el led u p i nto n e h orses ,

an d a w ay th ey w e n t f u l l S p eed ; b u t B i l l y w ho h ad p u t the ,

rush bet w ee n h is legs w ith ou t m u c h m i n d i n g h o w h e d i d

,

i t f ou nd h i m sel f s itti n g o n h orseback th e w ron g w ay

, ,

w h i ch w as rather a w k w ard , w ith h is face to th e h orse s tai i ;

 MA S T E R AN D MAN . 73

an d s o q u i ckly h ad h i s steed started o ff w i th h im that h e ,

h ad n o p o w e r to tu rn rou nd an d there w as therefore ,

n oth i n g f o r i t b u t to hol d o n b y th e tail .

A t l ast the y ca m e to thei r jou rne y s end an d stopped at

,

th e gate o f a ne hou se : N o w B illy said th e l ittle m an , , ,
d o as yo u s e e m e d o an d fol l o w m e cl ose
, ; b u t as y o u d i d
n o t k n o w your h orse s head f ro m h is tai l m i n d th at yo u r

,

o w n h ead d oes n ot S i n rou n d u nti l y o u can t tel l w h ether

p
u are stan d i n n i t o r on yo u r h eel s : f o r re m e m ber th a t
y o g o

O ld l i q u or th ou gh a b le to m ake a cat Speak , can m ake a

,

m an d u m b .

Th e l ittl e m an t he n sa i d s o m e qu eer k i n d o f w ord s o u t ,

o f w h i ch B il ly co u l d m ake n o m ean i n g ; b u t h e co n tri ve d

t o s ay th e m a f ter h im f o r al l th at ; an d i n t he y both w en t
th rou gh the ke y h ol e o f th e d o or a nd t h ro u gh o n e key h ol e
-
,
-

after an other u n ti l th ey go t i nto the w i ne cel lar w h i c h

,
-
,

w as w el l stored w i t h al l k i nd s of w i n e .

Th e l i ttle m an f el l to d ri n ki n g as hard as h e cou l d an d ,

B i lly n o w ay d i sl iki ng th e exa m p l e d id th e sa m e

, Th e , .

best o f m asters are y ou s rely said B il ly t o h im ; n o
u
,

m atter w ho i s th e n ext ; an d w el l plea s e d w il l I be w i th

you r servi ce i f y o u c o nti n u e to giv e m e p le n ty to d ri nk .

I h ave m ad e n o bargai n w ith y o u sai d the l ittl e m an , ,

an d w i l l m ake n on e
; but u
p an d fol lo w m e A w a
y .

t h ey w ent throu gh key h ol e after ke y h ole ; an d eac h

,
- -

m o u n ti n g u pon th e ru sh w h i ch h e h ad le f t at t h e h al l d oor ,

s ca m pered o ff k i cki n g th e clo u d s b e f ore the m l i ke s n o w

,

bal l s as soo n as th e w ords B o rra m Borra m B orra m

,

,

, , ,

h ad passe d th ei r l ips .

Wh e n the y ca m e back to t h e Fort e ld t he l i ttl e m an -

,

d i s m i ssed B illy bi d d i n g h i m to be th ere th e nex t n i gh t at

,

the sa m e h ou r T h u s d i d th ey go o n n i gh t a f ter n i gh t
.
, ,

sh a p i n g the ir cou rse on e n i ght h ere a nd a n o th er n i g h t ,

th ere so m eti m es n orth an d so m eti m es east a n d so m e

, ,

ti m es so u th u nti l th ere w as n ot a ge ntle m an s w i ne cellar

, .
-

i n all I relan d they h ad n ot vi s ited and coul d tel l th e a

v our o f every w i n e i n i t as w ell ay
,

better th an th e b ut ,

l er h i m sel f .

O ne n i ght w he n B illy M ac Dan i e l m e t the l ittl e m an as

,

u sual i n the F o r t e ld a nd w as goi n g to th e bog to f etc h

o

t h e h orses for the i r jo urn ey h i s m aster sai d to h im , Billy ,

,

7
74 MA STE R A N D MAN .

I s h all w an t an oth er h orse to n igh t fo r m ay be w e m ay

-
,

b ri n g back m ore c o m pa ny w i th u s th a n w e tak e

So .

B illy w h o n o w k n e w b e tter t ha n to q u e s ti o n a ny ord er

,

gi ve n to h i m b y h i s m a s t e r bro u gh t a th ird r u s h m u c h w o n
, ,

d er i n g w h o i t m i ght be th at s ho u ld trav e l ba c k i n t h e ir c o m
pa ny a n d w heth er h e w as abo u t to h ave a fel lo w s er v a n t
,
-
.

I f I h a ve th ou gh t B il l y h e sh al l go an d fe t ch th e h orses

, ,

fro m t h e b o g e v e ry n i gh t ; f o r I d o n t s e e w hy I am n o t,

e v ery i n ch o f m e as good a ge ntl e m a n as m y m a s t e r
,
.

Wel l a w ay th e y w e nt B il ly lead i n g th e th i rd h orse a n d

, , ,

n e v er s to p p e d u nti l th ey ca m e to a s n u g far m e r s h ou s e i n

th e co u nty L i m e ri c k c l o s e u n d er t h e o ld c as tl e o f Car r igo

,

u n n ie l t ha t w as b u i lt th ey s a by th e great Bri a n B oru

g , , y ,
.

W i t h i n t h e h o u se th ere w as gr e at caro u s i n g goi n g for w ard ,

a n d th e l ittl e m an s to ppe d o u t s i d e for so m e ti m e to l i s te n ;

W
the n tu r n i n g rou n d all o f a s udd e n s a id B il ly I w i ll b e
, , ,

a th o u s a n d year s o ld to m orro w ! -

Go d bl e s s u s s ir
, ,

sai d B illy w il l y o u ? ,


D o n t s ay th e s e w ord s agai n B i lly

sai d th e l i ttl e
, ,
m an , o r y o u w i ll be m
y ru i n for ever N o w B i l ly as I .
, ,

w i l l be a t h o u s a n d years i n th e w orl d to m orr o w I t h i n k -

,
i t i s ful l t i m e fo r m e to g e t m arri e d
.

I th i n k s o too i th o ut an y k i n d o f d o ubt at al l sai d
, ,

B il ly i f ever y o u m ea n t o m a r ry
, .

A n d to th a t p u r p o s e
sai d th e l i t tl e m an h ave I co m e
, ,
all th e w a t C ar r i o u n n i e l ; for i n th i s h o u s e th i s very
y o
g g ,

n i ght i s yo u n g D arby R iley goi n to be m arri e d to B rid get

, g
R o o n e y ; an d as s h e i s a tal l a nd co m e ly girl a nd h as c o m e ,

o f de c e nt p e o p l e
,
I th i n k o f m arryi n g h er m ysel f a n d ,

taki n g h e r o ff w i th m e .

A n d w h at w il l D arby R iley s ay to that ? s ai d B ill y
.

S il e n c e ! s ai d t h e l i ttl e m an p utti n g o n a m i gh ty se

,

v ere l o o k : I d id no t bri n g y o u h e re w i th m e t o as k q u es
t i o n s ; a n d w i th o u t h old i n g fu rt h er arg u m e n t h e bega n

,

say i n g th e qu e e r w ord s w h i c h h ad th e po w e r of p a s s i n g
,

h i m t h rou g h th e k e y h ol e as free as ai r a n d w h i ch B illy

-
,

th o u g h t h i m s elf m i ghty cl e ver to b e able to s ay aft er h im .

I n th ey b ot h w e n t ; an d fo r th e bett e r v ie w i n g th e c o m
pa n y the l ittl e m an p e rch ed h i m self u p as n i m bly as a cock
,

s par r o w U p o n o n e o f th e b i g bea m s w h ic h w e nt acro ss th e

h o use ov e r all th ei r h e ad s , a n d B i lly d i d th e sa m e U p o n

 MA ST E R AN D MAN. 75

n other faci n g h im ; bu t n o t bei n g m u ch ac cus to m e d t o

a ,

roo s ti n g i n s u c h a p lace h is leg s h u n g d o w n as u ntid y as

,

m ay b e a n d i t w as q u i te cl e ar h e h ad n o t take n patter n
,

aft e r th e w ay i n w h i c h the l i ttl e m an had bu nd led h i m s elf

u
p to g e t her I f th.e l it tl e m a n h ad b e e n a tail or al l h i s l i f e ,

h e c o u l d n ot h av e s at m ore co nte nt e dl y upo n h is h au n c h es .

There th e y w e re both m a s ter an d m an look i n g d o w n

, ,

u po n the f u n that w as goi n g for w ard an d u nder th e m

w er e th e p ri e s t a n d p i pe r a nd th e fat h e r of D arby R iley,

w i th D arby s t w o bro th e r s a nd h is u n c l e s s o n an d there

w ere both th e fathe r a n d th e m oth er o f Brid ge t R o o n ey ,

an d p ro u d e n o u gh th e o ld cou ple w ere th at n i ght o f th e i r
d a u gh t e r as good ri gh t th ey h ad a n d h er fo u r s i s ter s w i t h
,

b ra n n e w ri ba n d s i n th e i r ca p s an d her three brot h e r s all

,

l ooki n g as cl e a n a n d as clever as a ny th ree boy s i n M u n

s ter a n d th e re w ere u ncles an d au n t s a n d go s s i p s a n d ,

c o u s i n s e n ou gh be s ide s to m ake a ful l h o u se o f i t a n d

pl e n ty w as th e re t o eat a n d d ri n k o n th e tabl e f o r e v e r y
o n e o f the m i f they h ad bee n d o u bl e th e n u m ber
,
.

N o w i t happened j u s t as M r s R o o ney h ad h el p ed h i s

W
,
.

r evere n ce to the r s t c u t o f th e p i g s h ea d w h i ch w as

p laced before h er beautifully ,

bol s tered u p w ith w h ite s a

W
V o y s th at th e bride ga v e a s neeze w hi c h m ade every o n e
,

a t table s tart b u t n ot a so u l s ai d G o d ble s s u s
,

A ll .

th i n ki n g that th e prie s t w o ul d h ave d o ne s o as h e o u gh t

,

if h e had do ne h i s d uty n o o n e w i s he d to tak e t h e w or d

,

o u t o f h i s m o u th w h i ch u n fort u natel y w as p re occu pie d

,
-

w ith pig s head a n d gree ns A n d after a m o m e n t s pau s e
.

,

t h e fu n a n d m erri m e n t of the br idal feast w e nt o n i th o u t

the p i ou s bened i c ti o n .

O f th i s c ircu m s t an ce b oth B i ll y a n d h i s m aster e re n o

i n a tt e nti ve S p ectator s fro m th e ir e xalted s tatio n s Ha !
.

excl ai m e d t h e l ittle m an t h ro w i n g o n e leg fro m u n der h im

,

w ith a o o u s o u ri s h a n d h i s ey e t w i n kl ed w ith a s tra n ge

j y ,

l igli t w h i l s t h i s e y e b ro w s b ec a m e elevated i nto th e c ur v a

,

tu r e of G othi c ar c he s H a ! s ai d h e leer i n g d o w n at th e

,

b rid e a n d th e n u p at B il ly
'

,
I h av e h al f o f her n o w s u rely
, , .

L et h er s n e ez e b u t t w i ce m ore a n d s h e i s m i n e , i n s p ite o f
,

prie s t m a s s bo o k a n d D arby R iley

,
-
,

.

A gai n the fair Brid get s ne ezed ; bu t i t w as so ge ntl y , a n d

sh e blush ed s o m u ch , th at fe w ex cept th e l ittl e m an t oo k o r
'

76 MA ST E R AND MAN .

s e e me d t o tak e au v n o tice : and n o o n e th o u gh t o f s a yi n g

Go d bl ess u s .

B illy al l th i s ti m e regar d e d th e poo r gi rl w i th a m os t

r ueful expres s io n of cou n te n a n ce ; for h e cou l d n ot h elp
th i n ki n g w h at a te rr i bl e th i n g i t w as fo r a n i c e yo u n g gir l
o f n i net e en , w i t h l arge b lue e ye s , tra n s p are n t s ki n a n d ,

d i m pled ch eeks su ff u s ed w i th h ealth an d j oy to b e o bli ge d

, ,

t o m arry a n u gl y l ittle b it of a m an w h o w a s a th o us an d
ye a rs ol d b arr i n g a d ay
,
.

A t th i s c r i ti cal m o m e n t th e b r i d e ga v e a th i rd s n ee z e ,

an d B illy roared o u t w i th al l h i s m i gh t ,
G o d sa v e u s !
W hether th i s ex cl a m ati o n re s u l ted fro m h is s o lilo q ti y o r ,

f ro m th e m ere force o f h abit h e n e v e r co uld tell exactly

,

h i m s el f ; b u t n o soo ner w as i t u ttered tha n the l ittle m an

, ,

h is face gl o w i n g w i th r age a n d d i s a p po i n t m e n t s p ru n g fr o m
,

th e bea m o n w h ic h h e h ad per c h ed h i m s elf an d s h rieki n g

,

o u t i n the shrill v oi ce of a c r a cked bagpi pe

I d i s ch arge

,

y ou m
y se rv i ce , B illy M ac D a n iel t a ke th a t fo r yo u r

w ages ga v e po or B i ll y a m o st furi ou s k i ck i n th e bac k ,
,

w h i c h se nt h i s u n fortu n ate ser v an t S pr a w l i n g U p o n h i s f a ce

an d h an d s r i gh t i n th e m id d le of th e s upper table .

I f B illy w a s asto n i she d h o w m uc h m ore s o w a s e v e r y

,

o ne o f th e co m pa ny i nto w h i ch h e w as th ro w n w i th s o l ittl e

c ere m o n y ; b u t w h e n th ey he a rd h i s story F athe r C o o n e

, y
l ai d d o w n h i s k n i fe a n d fork a n d m arri ed th e y o u n g c o u
,
~

l e o u t of h a n d w i th all speed ; a n d B illy M ac D a n ie l

p
d an ce d th e R i n ka at thei r w e d d i n g an d ple n ty d i d he
,

d ri n k at it t oo , w h i ch w a s w h a t he th o u gh t more o f th a n
d an ci n g .
 77

T HE L I TTLE SH O E .

XI .

!
Now tel l m e M ol ly s a i d M r C oote to M olly C og an
, ,

.
,

as h e m e t h er o n th e road o n e d ay cl o s e to o n e o f th e o ld ,

gate w ay s of d i d y o u e v er h ear o f th e Clu

r i c au n e ?
Is i t the C l uri cau n e ? w hy th en sure I d i d ofte n a n d , , ,

often ; m any s th e ti m e I h eard m y father, rest h i s so ul !

tell abo ut e m
.

B ut d i d o u e v er s e e o n e M ol ly your s el f ?
y , ,
O ch ! n o I never
s e e o n e i n m y li fe ; bu t m y gr an d f a
,

th er th at s m y fath er s father y o u k n o w h e s e e o ne o n e
,

, , ,

ti m e a n d cau gh t h im to o
, .

Ca u gh t h im ! O h ! Mol ly tel l m e h o w ?
,
W hy the n I ll tel l yo u My gra n d fath e r yo u s e e
, ,

.
, ,

w as o ut there abo v e i n th e b og d ra w i n g h o m e tu rf a n d , ,

th e p oor o l d m are w as tir e d after h er d ay s w ork a n d th e

,

o l d m an w e nt o u t to the s table t o loo k aft e r her a n d to s e e ,

i f sh e w as e at i n g her h ay ; a n d w h en h e ca m e to th e s tabl e
d oor th e re , m y dear he h eard s o m eth i n g ha m m e ri n g h am
, ,

m eri n g h am m e r i n g j u s t for al l the w orl d l i ke a s h o e m aker

, ,

W
m aki n g a s h oe a n d w h i s tl i n g all th e ti m e th e p r e tt ie s t tu n e
,

h e e v er heard i n h is w h ol e l i fe b e fore W e ll m y gran d .

,

f athe r he th ou gh t i t w as th e Cl uricau n e a n d h e s ai d to h i m
, ,

self say s h e I ll catch y o u i f I can an d th en I ll h a ve

, ,

, , ,

m on ey e nou gh al w ay s S o h e o p en ed th e d oor v ery

.

qu ietly an d d id n t m ake a b it o f n o ise i n th e w orld that
,

e v er w as h eard ; a n d l ooked al l abo u t b u t th e n ever a b i t ,

of th e l ittl e m an h e co u ld s e e a ny w here bu t h e heard h im ,

h a m m eri n g an d h istl i n g an d so h e l o oked an d l ook e d , ,

til l at la s t he s e e th e l i ttle fello w ; a n d w he re w as h e d o ,

o u th i nk b u t i n th e girth u nder th e m are ; a n d ther e h e

y ,

w as w i th h is l it t le b it o f a n ap r o n o n h i m , a n d ha m m e r i n

i
K l mall o ck s e e me d t o m e l ke t he i c o ur t of t he Q e n
u e of Si
!:

len ce . O K e ef e s R e c o lle c ti o n s

.
78 TH E L ITT L E S H O E .

h is h an d , an d a l ittl e re d n i gh tc a p o n h i s h ea d an d b e ,

m aki n g a sh oe ; a n d h e w as so b u s y w i th h i s w ork , a n d h e
w as h a m m eri n g a n d w h i s t l i n g s o l oud th at h e n ever m i n d ,

e d m y gra n dfath e r ti l l h e cau gh t h i m fast i n h is h a n d .

F aith I h a ve you n o w
says h e a n d I ll n ever le t y o u go

til l I get yo u r purse that s w h at I w o n t ; s o gi ve i t h ere

, ,

to m e at o n ce n o w S t 0p stop says th e C l uricau n e

, .

, ,

,
stop
,
stop says h e til l I get i t fo r you
,

,

S o m y gra n d .

f ath er l i ke a fo ol y o u see O pe n ed h is h an d a l i ttle a n d t he

, , , ,

l i ttle f e llo w j u m p e d a w ay l au gh i n g a n d h e n ever s aw him

,

an y m ore an d th e n ever th e b it o f th e pu r s e d id h e ge t
, ,
o n ly th e Cl u ri ca u n e left h i s l ittle shoe th at h e w as m aki n g ;
a n d m y gra nd father w as m ad e n ou g h an gry w i t h h i m s elf
for l etti n g h i m go ; b u t h e h ad th e sh oe all h i s l i fe a n d m y ,

o w n m other tol d m e s h e o fte n s e e i t a n d h ad i t i n h e r ,

h a nd a n d t w a s the prettie s t l ittle s h oe s h e e v er s aw
,

.

e i t yo ursel f, M oll
A nd d i d ?
o u s e
y y
Oh ! no m d ear i t w as l o s t l o n g afore I w as b orn
y, , ;
b u t my m othe r tol d m e a bo u t i t o fte n a n d o fte n e no u gh
.
 pi t i ti cti n b et ee n t h C l i c e d t h
T he m ai n o n o f d s n o w e ur au n an e
i tti h d l it y h bit f th f mer h
S he fr o , ar s e s fr o m t h e s o s an so ar a s o e or w o
i t p c mm iti e
,

ar e r ar el y f o un d n ro o s or o un s.

T h Cl i c e f t h c n ty f C k t h L i
e ur au n f Ke y d o e ou o or e u r c au n e o rr an
f T i pp e pp e r t b t h me t h L p re
, ,

th L ig d
e ur y a au n e o r ar a a o e e sa as e e

f L i ter Ul t e ;
,

ch n L pa h or d h L gh
e ro c
y m f au n e o e ns an t e o e rr -
an o s r

d t he e p r b b ly ll p r vi c i l i m f th I i h f
,

rd

W
an s w o s ar e o a a o n a s s o e r s or a

ri g my o

It i p ible d i i me me e b e t b y th text f
s oss an s n so as ur o rn o u e o o ne

f t h p ece d i g t i e th t h
,

o e r n s or d l h f m
s i me ly a t e w or u ac a an s re

an A g l I i h i d c ti c m p de d f (
n o- r s n u h )on, d h E gl i h o o un o a r us an t e n s

rd m m A hy m t h t m y b f h h i g ht f
,

w o a r us m an , a a e a an o t e e o a
b e i g h d el t m g he t h t i f eq e ted
, ,

r us h or a n w o w a on r us s, a s , un r u n or
b ggy p l ce

W
,

o a s.

T h f ll e i g di l g e i i d t h e t ke pl c i I i h c rt
o ow n ao u s sa o av a n a e n an r s ou

o f j ti ce us p th it h vi g d t h
, u on e w d L p ne s s h a n us e e w or e ro c au n e z

C m b P y h t i k ch h '

o l p ra h wth l a s a e ro c au ne ! e aw no w s n o s u c a
t
r ac e r o r d i g ti es na o n.

it My l d it i l ittle c
ness ell r m i h f i i e
or s a o u ns o an n t e ar s, o r

a tt n e y t h t b t he m a ll d h l y c i e p e t h t i
,

an or a ro s an e a w a s ar r s a ur s a s

d kee p y r e y d th t
,

f ll f m o ey
u o d if y n him an ou se e h m an ou es on i an a
t t i t t
, ,

y oun e ve r n h e m de hur c a n g t y as d f y c c h h iem n o e aw a an i ou a

h g ive y th p d t he n y i ch J
, ,

e s e t l t him g
ou e u rs eo e o an ou r

as r as a ew

t D id y
.

p
,

C our ever k f y ou on e t ha t c g h t L e ro
no w o an au a
ch e I i h I c l d c t c h
.

l a
an n w s ou o ne
Y my l d there
.

it n e ss e s, or w as o n e
t T h a t i ll d
,

C ou r w o.

i th e p ec t t o m ey m tt e th e pp e r t b t g
r s

on a rs ,

er a a s o e a s r on
r e e mb l n ce b e t ee n t h
s a c i e n t R m an I n c b
w d t h I ri h Ol i
e an o u u s an e s ur

c au n e S d q m d di e t g i
uoh i l c i
o do di i q m dc un e o n s o, se au v uo o o
i p il m m i nve n it
. , ,

in cu b on p i t t th
eu ra u s se h e d f e s au r u ar e t e w or s o
Pe t i S f f t her rg me n t i n pp t f i den tity f t h
,

r o n us . ee or ar a u s su or o o e
p i it t h B t her G im m E y t h N t e f h E lve
,

tw o s r s, e ro s r s ssa on e a ur o t e s,

p re x e d t o t he i r t n l ti on f t hi
T e ti mon i e
s s.
rk n de r t h he d f A n c i e t
ra s a o s w o u e a
o n
,

O ld G m
d N t h n p e m c on t i n m e
er an an or a cc t f
er o s an u r o us o un s o
th k i ll f th d f i c i
e s o e m it h w ar s k n T h I i h Ol i
ur o us s

s -w o r

e r s ur
i he rd h m m e i g ; h i p ti c l a l y f d f m k i g h e
.

c au ne s a a r n e s ar u r on o a n s o s,
b t t he e e e i n
u s c i e t ti me m de f m e t l (i h ld N t her
w r an n s a o a n t e o or n
l a g g e h e m ker i c alle d h mi th; ) d i g l l y e g h
n ua as o - a s as o e -s an s n u ar no u

i g ht i n G man t diti n m i fe t t h m p p ity ; f

, ,

th e w s a er ra o an s e sa e ro e ns o r,

w ha t e e r v k t h h e m ke r h b ee n b le t
w or e s o t -
t i n th d y
a as a o cu ou e a
t he y ni h it h i ncre dible q i ck n e d ri g th n ight
,

s w u ss u n e .

T H E B R O T H E R S GR I M M .
 L E GE N D S OF TH E B A N S H E E .

WW
N ow
A nd no w
it p

i
i it i
i
t
ho S s u o n t he he a h f o r l o rn ,
it b t t
h r o e s o f r e e an d r e s s e s o r n !
p i t i
A n o n s he o u r s a harr o w n g s ra n ,
t it t
A n d he n s he s s all m u e a g a n !
pe al s t he w l d f un e re a l c ry
it s n k s n o a s gh
.

O UR A N S.

T HE B AN S H EE .
!

X II .

T H E R e v e r e nd Charle s B u n w o r th w a s recto r o f B u tte

v a n t i n th e co u n ty o f C ork a bou t th e m i ddle o f th e la s t
, ,

ce n tury H e w as a m an of u n a ffect ed piety a n d o f sou n d

.
,

lear n i ng ; pure i n heart an d ben evol e nt i n i nte nti o n B y

, .

th e ric h h e w as r e s p ected an d by the p oor belo ved ; n o r

,

d i d a d i ff ere n ce o f creed pr ev e n t th ei r l o ok i n g u p to the

min is te r s o w as M r B u n w o r t h c al le d by the m
'

( .
! ! i n m a t
ters o f d i fc u lty a n d i n season s of d i s tre s s co n fi de n t o f r e
,

ce i v i n fro m h im t h e ad vi ce a n d a s s i s tance that a fath e r

g
w ou l d a ff ord to h is ch i ld re n H e w as th e frie n d a n d th e
b e nefactor of t he s u r rou n d i n g c o u ntry to h im fr o m t he
.

n ei gh b o u r i n g t o w n o f N e w m ar k e t c a m e bo th C u rran an d
,
 82 L E G E NDS O F T H E B A N S H EE .

Y el v e r to n fo r a d v i ce a n d i n s tru cti o n prev i o us t o th ei r e n ,

t r a n ce at D ubl i n C ol lege Y o u n g i n di g e n t a n d i n e x p e
.
,
v

r ie n c e d the s e aft e r w ard s e m i nen t m e n re c ei ved fro m h i m

, ,

i n ad d iti o n to th e a d vi ce they sou gh t p ec u n i a r y aid ; an d ,

th e bri llian t caree r w h i c h w a s th e irs j u sti fi ed th e d is c r i ,

m i nati o n o f th e gi v e r .

B ut w h a t exte n d ed th e fa m e o f M r B u n w o r th f ar b e .
,

y o n d th e l i m its o f th e pari s h es adj acen t to h i s o w n w a s ,

h i s perfor m a n ce o n th e I ri s h h arp a n d h is h ospitabl e r e ,

c e tio n a n d e ntertai n me n t o f th e poo r h arper s w h o tra v elle d

p
f ro m h o u s e to h ouse ab out the c ou n try G rateful to thei r .

p a tro n these i ti nera n t m i n s trels sa n g h i s p r a i s es to th e

,

ti n gl i n g a cco m pa n i m e n t o f thei r h a r ps i n v oki n g i n retu r n ,

f o r h i s bo u nty ab u nd a n t ble s si n gs o n h is w h i te h ead , a n d
c eleb rati n g i n the i r rud e v erses th e b l oo m i n g ch ar m s o f h is

d au gh ter s E l izabeth a n d M ary

,
I t w as al l the s e poo r fel
.

l o w s co uld d o ; b ut w h o c an d o ub t th at thei r grati tud e w a s

s i n cere w h en
, at th e t i m e of M r B u n w o r t h s d eath n o
, .

,

l ess th a n ftee n h ar ps w ere d e p osited i n th e l oft of h is

g ra n a ry bequ,
eathe d to h i m by th e l a s t m e m b e r s of a r ace

w h i c h h as n o w ce a s e d to ex i s t Tri fl i n g n o d ou b t i n i n .
, ,

t r i n s ic v a l ue w e r e the s e rel ics yet there is s o m eth i n g i n gi fts

,

o f th e heart th at m e r its pre s e rva ti o n ; an d i t i s t o b e r e

g r e t te d th at w he ,
n h e d i ed these h a r ps ,
w e r e b r o ke n u
p
o n e after th e oth e r a n d use d as r e w o o d b an i g n or an t
y
-
,

f oll o w er o f th e fa m i ly , w h o o n a r e m ova l to C ork fo r a te m

,

o r ar ch a n ge o f s ce n e w as left i n ch arge o f th e h ou se
p y , .

Th e c ircu m s t an ces atte n di n g th e d eath o f M r B u n w o r th .

m ay b e d o ubted by so m e ; bu t there a re sti l l l i v i n g cred i bl e

w i t n e s se s w h o decl are thei r a uthe n tici ty a n d w h o ca n b e ,

p rod u ce d to attest m ost i f n o t a l l of

, th e foll o w i n g p a r t icu

l ar s.

A b o u t a w eek pre v i ou s to h is d issol uti on , a nd e a rl y i n

t h e e v e n i n g a n o ise w as h e a r d a t th e h all d oo r rese m b l i n g -

t he s h eari n g o f s h eep ; b u t a t th e ti m e n o p a rti cul a r a tte n

t i o n w as p ai d t o it I t w as n ea r ly el e v e n o clo ck th e sa m e
.

n i gh t w h e n K ava nagh th e h er d s m a n retur n ed fr o m M al

, , ,

l o w w h ither h e h ad bee n s e n t i n th e after n o o n for s o m e

,

m e d i c i n e an d w as o b s er ved by M i s s B u n w o r t h to w h o m
, ,

h e d el i vered th e parcel to be m u ch a gitated ,

A t th i s t i m e .
,

i t m u s t be o b s e rve d , he r fa the r w a s by no m ea n s c o u s i
d e r e d i n dan ge r .
 L E G E ND S O F T H E B A NS H E E. 83

W h at i s th e m atter K a v a n agh ? asked M i s s B u n w o r th :

,

b u t th e p oor fello w w ith a be w ilde r e d l ook o nly u tt e r e d

, ,
Th e m a s ter M is s th e m aster h e i s goi n
,

, g fro m u s;

a n d o verco m e w ith real grief h e b u r s t i n t o a ood o f tears

, , .

M i s s B u n w o r th w h o w as a w o m a n o f s tro n g n erv e i n
, ,

qu ired i f a ny th i n g h e h ad l ear n ed i n M all o w i nd u ced h im

to s up p o s e that h er fath er w as w or s e N o M i ss s ai d , ,

K ava nagh ; i t w as n o t i n M all o w

K ava na h
s ai d M is s B u n w o r th w i th that s tatel i n ess
g , ,

o f m an n er for w h ich s h e i s s aid to h ave b ee n r e m arkabl e ,

I fe ar u h ave bee n d ri n ki n g w h i ch I m ust sa I d i d
y o
y , , ,

n o t ex pe ct at s u ch a ti m e as th e p re s en t w h e n i t w as y o u r ,

d u ty t o h a v e k ep t yo u r s el f s ob e r ; I th o u g h t yo u m i gh t
h ave bee n tr u s ted w h at s h o u l d w e h av e d o n e i f o u h a d
y
-

broke n the m ed i ci n e b ottl e o r l o s t i t ? fo r th e d octor s a i d ,

i t w as o f th e greate s t co nseq u e n ce th at yo u r m a s t e r sh oul d

take the m ed ici ne to n i gh t B u t I w i ll s p eak to y ou i n th e
-
.

m o rn i n g w h e n y o u ar e i n a tter state to u n de r sta n d w h a t

,

I s ay .

K ava n agh l ooked u p w i th a s tu p i d i ty of a s p ect w h i ch

d id n ot s erve to r e m ove t he i m p re s s i o n o f h is b e i n g d ru nk ,

as h is eye s a ppe ared heavy a n d d ul l aft er th e ood o f tears ;

b u t h is v o ic e w as n ot th at o f an i ntoxi cated per s o n .

M i s s s ai d h e as I h o p e to recei v e m ercy h e r e after
,

, ,

n ei ther b i t n or s u p h as pa s s ed m y l ips s i nce I l e ft th i s

h o u s e ; b ut th e m as ter
S p eak s oft ly s ai d M i s s B u n w o r th ; h e s l eeps, a nd

,


i s goi n g o n as w ell as w e c o ul d ex p ect .

P rai s e b e to G od for th at any w ay

repl i ed K avan agh ;
, ,
but o h ! M i s s h e i s goi n g fro m u s s u rely w
, e w i ll lo s e

h im
th e m a s ter w e w i ll l o s e h im w e w il l l ose h im !
,

a n d h e w ru n g h i s ha nd s tog e th e r .

W hat i s i t yo u m ean K a v a nagh ? a s ked M i

ss B u n
,

w orth .

s
I i t m ea n ? said K ava na gh :
the Bansh ee h as co m e
for h im M iss an d ti s n o t I alo n e ho h ave h eard h e r
, ,
w

.

Ti s a n i dl e s u p er s titio n s aid M i s s B u n w o r th

, .

M ay be s o re p l i e d K ava nagh as i f th e w ord s i dle
, ,

s u p erstitio n o n l y sou nded u po n h is ear w i t hou t rea c h i n g

his mind M ay be s o h e co n t i n ued ; b u t as I ca m e

th r ough th e gle n o f Ballybeg s h e w as al o n g w i th m e , ,

84 L E G E ND S O F THE B A N S H EE .

k ee n i n g , an d s cr e e c h i n g an d c l appi n g h er h and s b y m y
, ,

s i d e eve r y s te p o f th e w ay w i th her lo n g w h i te hai r falli n

, , g
abo u t he r s h o u ld e r s a n d I c o uld h ear h e r repeat th e m a s te r s

,

n a m e e v ery n o w a n d th e n as p l ai n as e ver I h eard i t , .

W h en I ca m e to th e o ld a b b e y s he pa r te d f ro m m e there , ,

an d tu rned i n to t h e p i ge o n fi e l d n e x t th e b er r in g r o u nd
-
,

an d fold i n g h er cl oa k a b o u t h e r d o w n s h e s at u n d e mt h e ,

t re e th at w as s tru ck by the l i ght n i n g a n d bega n ke e n i n g ,

so bi tterly , th at i t w e n t t h ro u g h o n e s h eart t o h ea r i t .

K ava nagh s ai d M i s s B u n w o r th w
, h o h ad h o w e v e r , , ,

l i s te n ed atte n ti vely to th i s r e m arka b l e rel ati o n m y fath e r ,

is I b e l ieve b e tter ; a n d I h O p e w i l l h i m s el f soo n be u p an d

, ,

a b le to co n v i n c e y o u th at all th i s i s b u t y o u r o w n fa n cy ; \

n everth el e s s I charge y o u n o t to m e n t io n w h at y o u h av e
,

tol d m e for the r e is n o o cca s i o n to fri gh te n you r fell o w

,

se rva n t s w ith th e s t o r y .

M r B u n w o r th g r ad ually d ecl i n e d ; b ut n oth i n g parti c ul a r

.

o c c u rr e d u n ti l t he n ig h t prev i ou s to h is d eath : that n i gh t

b oth h is d au ghter s ex h au s t e d w i th co n ti n u e d atte n d a
,

an d w at c h i n g w ere p r e vai led U p o n t o s e ek so m e r ep

,

and a n eld e r l y lad y a n ear rel at i ve a n d fri e n d o f th e fa m i l y

, ,

r e m ai n ed b y th e bed s id e o f thei r fa t h er Th e ol d gentl e .

m an t h e n lay i n t he parl o u r w he r e h e h ad bee n i n th e ,

m o r n i n g re m ove d at h i s o w n r equ e s t fan cy i n g th e cha n ge ,

w o u l d a ff ord h i m rel ief ; a n d th e h ead o f h is bed w a s place d

cl o s e to th e w i nd o w I n a roo m adj oi n i n g s at so m e m al e
.

fri e nd s a nd as u s u al o n l i ke o cca s i o ns o f ill n e s s i n t he

, , ,

k itche n m an y o f t h e follo w ers o f th e fa m i ly had as s e m bled

The n i gh t w as s eren e an d m oo nl itth e si c k m an s l e pt
.

a n d n othi n g brok e t h e s ti ll nes s o f th e i r m ela n ch o l y w atch ,

w h e n the l i t t l e party i n th e ro o m adj oi n i n g the parl o ur t he ,

d oor o f w h i ch s to od O pe n w as s u d de nly r o u s ed b y a s ou n d
,

at th e w i nd o w n ear th e b e d : a ro s e t ree gre w o ut s id e th e

w i n do w s o clo s e as to to u ch th e gl a s s ; th i s w as forc e d a s id e
,

w i t h s o m e n oi s e an d a lo w m oan i n g w as heard ac c o m p a
, ,

n ied by c l appi n g of han d s as i f o f a fe m ale i n d ee p a f icti o n

, .

I t s ee m ed as i f t h e s o u n d proc e ed ed fro m a p er s o n h old i n g

h e r m o u th cl ose to the w i nd o w Th e lady w ho s at by t h e .

b e d s i de o f M r B u n w o r t h w e n t i n to th e adj o i n i n g roo m a n d
.
,

i n a to n e o f alar m i nq u ired o f th e ge n tle m e n there i f they

, ,

had h ea rd the B an sh ee ? S k e ptical o f super na tu ral appe ar

 L E G E NDS or T HE B A N S H EE . 85

an ce s , t w o o f the m r o se h ast i l y an d w e n t o u t to d i s cov e r

the cau s e o f the s e s ou nd s w h ich they al s o had d i s ti n c tly
,

h eard Th ey w al ked al l aro u n d th e h o u s e ex a m i n i n g

.
,

e v ery S pot of grou nd , p arti c u larly n e a r th e w i n d o w fro m

w he n ce the v o i ce h ad pro ceeded ; the bed o f earth be neath ,

i n w h i ch th e ro s e tree w as p l a n t e d h ad bee n r e ce ntly d u g

, ,

a n d the pri n t o f a foot s te p if t h e tree h ad bee n forc e d a s id e

by m ortal ha n d w o u ld have i nevitably r e m a i ned ; b u t t hey
coul d percei ve n o s uch i m pre s s ion ; an d a n u n brok e n s t ill
n e s s rei gned w ith o u t H o p i n g to d i s pe l th e m y s tery t h ey
.
,

c o n ti nu e d th e i r s e ar c h a n x i o u s ly al o n g th e road fro m th e ,

s trai ght ne s s of w h i c h an d t h e l i g h tne s s of th e n i g ht th e y ,

w ere e n abled t o s e e s o m e d i s tan ce aro u n d the m ; b u t al l

w as s i l e n t a n d d e s er t ed an d t h e y ret u rned s ur p ri s ed an d
,

d isap p oi n ted H o w m u c h m o re th e n w e re t h ey a s to n i s h e d
.

at l earn i n g th at the w h ol e ti m e o f th e i r ab s en c e tho s e w h o ,

re m ai ned w ith i n th e h o u s e h ad h eard th e m oan i n g a n d

cla pp i n g of han d s eve n l o uder an d m ore d i s ti nct tha n b efor e
they h ad go ne o u t ; a n d n o s oo ner w as the d oor o f th e roo m
clo s ed o n the m th a n t hey agai n heard t h e s a m e m o u rnfu l
,

so u nd s ! E v e ry s u c c ee d i n g h o u r th e s i c k m an beca m e
w or s e and as th e r s t gl i m p s e o f the m orn i n g appeared
, ,

M r Hu n w or t h e x p i red
. .

L E GE ND S O F T HE B A N SH E E .

X II I .

Th e fa m ily o f M ac C arthy h ave for s o m e g enerati o n s

po s s e s s ed a s m al l e s tat e i n th e cou n ty o f Ti pp e rary They .

are th e d e s ce n d ant s of a rac e o n ce n u m ero u s a n d po w erful

,

i n th e s o u th o f I rel a nd ; a n d th ou gh i t is p rob abl e t h at th e

pro pe rty the y at p resen t h ol d is n o p art o f t he lar g e p o s
sess io n s o f th ei r a n c e s tor s y e t th e d i s tri c t i n w h i ch th ey
,

l i ve i s so c o n n e ct e d w i th t h e n a m e of Mac Carthy by th ose

a s s ociati o n s w h i ch are n e ver forgotte n i n I rela n d th at they ,

h ave pre s e rved w i t h al l ra n k s a s ort o f i n u e n c e m uch

greater tha n th at w h ich thei r fort u n e o r co n nex io n s co u ld
o ther w i s e gi v e the m They ar e , like m o s t of th i s cl a s s of
.
,

8
86 L EG E NDS or THE BA NSHE E .

th e R o m an C ath ol i c p er s u a s io n to w h i ch th ey ad he r e w i t h
,

so m e w h at o f th e p rid e o f a n c e s t ry bl e n de d w i th a so m e ,

th i n g c al l i t w h at y o u w i ll w h e ther bi go try o r a se n se of
, , ,

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,

l a w s Bei n g a n o ld fa m ily an d e s pe c ially be i n g a n o l d

.
,

C ath ol i c fa m i l y th e y h a v e of co u r s e th e i r Ba n sh ee ; a n d th e
,

c i r c u m s ta n c e s u n d e r w h i c h th e appear an ce w h i ch I s h al l ,

relate o f th is m y s t e ri o u s h ar b i n g e r o f d eath took place ,

, ,

w er e tol d m e by an ol d l ady a n ear co n n exi o n of thei rs , ,

w h o k n e w m a n y o f th e p arti e s co n c er n ed a n d w h o th ou gh , ,

n ot d e c ien t i n u n de r s ta n d i n g o r ed u cati o n ca n n ot to th i s ,

d ay be brou gh t to g i ve a de c i s i ve O pi n i o n as to th e truth
o r a u th e n ti c i ty o f t h e s tory Th e p lai n i nfer e n ce to b e
.

d ra w n fro m th i s i s th at s he b e l i e v e s i t th o u gh s h e d oes
, ,

n o t o w n i t ; a n d as s he w as a co n te m porary o f th e perso n s

co n cer ned as s h e heard th e a cco u n t fro m m a ny perso n s

ab o u t th e s a m e p e riod al l co n c u rri n g i n th e i m porta n t par
,

t ic u lar s as s o m e o f h e r a uth oritie s w ere th e m sel ves actors

i n th e s ce n e a nd as n o ne o f th e p artie s w ere i n tere s te d i n
S pe ak i n g w hat w as fal s e ; I t h i n k w e h av e abo u t as good

e v id e n ce t h at th e w h ol e is u nd e n i ably tr u e as w e h a v e of
m a ny narrat iv e s o f m od e r n h i s to ry w h i ch I co ul d n a m e , ,

a n d w h ich m a ny grave a n d s ober m i n ded peo p l e w oul d -

d e e m it very gr e at p y rrh o n i s m to qu e s ti o n Th i s h o w .
,

ever is a p oi n t w h i c h i t is n ot m y p rov i n ce to d eter m i n e

, .

P eo p le w h o d eal o u t s tori e s of th i s s or t m ust be co n te n t to

a ct l i k e ce rt ai n y o u n g p ol i tici a n s w h o tel l v ery fr e el y to
,

thei r fri e nd s w hat t h ey h e ar at a great m a n s table ; n o t

gu il ty o f th e i m perti n en c e o f w e i g h i n g th e d o ctri n e s a n d ,

l e a vi n g i t to th e i r h e arer s to u nd e r s ta n d th e m i n a ny se n se,
o r i n n o s e n s e j u s t as they m ay p l e a s e
, .

C h arles M a c C arthy w as i n t h e ye ar 1 7 4 9 th e o n ly s u r
, ,

v i v i n g s o n o f a v e ry n u m e ro u s fa m ily H is fath er d ied .

w h e n h e w as l i t t l e m or e t h an t w e n ty leavi n g h i m th e M ac ,

C arth y e s tate n o t m u ch e n c u m ber e d co n s i d e ri n g that i t

, ,

w as a n I ri s h o n e C harle s w as gay h and so m e u n fettere d

.
, ,

either by po v e rty a fa t h e r o r gu ard ian s a n d ther e fore w as

, , ,

n o t at th e a ge o f o n e a n d t w e n ty a patter n o f regulari ty
- -
,

an d v i rtu e . I n plai n t e r m s h e w as a n e x ceedi n gly d i ss i

,

pate d I fea r I m ay s ay d ebau ch ed y ou n g m an H i s c o m .

 L E G E ND S O F T H E B A N S H E E . 87

p an i o ns w ere , as m ay be s up p o s ed o f th e h i gh er cl asses o f ,

th e y outh i n h is n ei gh bo u rh ood a nd i n ge n e ral O f th o s e , , ,

w h ose fortu ne s w ere larger t h an h is o w n w ho s e d i s p o s iti o n s ,

to p l e a s ure w ere th er e fore u nd er s til l l e s s re s tri cti o n s a n d ,

i n w hose exa m p l e h e fo u n d at o n ce a n i n c e nti ve a n d a n

a p olo gy fo r h is i rreg u l ari ti e s B e s id e s I r el a nd a p l ace to
.
, ,

th i s d ay n ot very r e m arkabl e fo r t h e c ool n e s s a nd s te ad i

n ess o f i ts yo uth w as the n o ne of t h e c h e a pe s t c ou ntrie s i n
,

th e w o rl d i n m o s t o f t h o s e ar t i c le s w h i c h m o n e y s u pp l i e s
fo r the i n d u lge n ce O f th e p a s s io n s Th e o d i o u s e x ci s e m a n.
,

w i th h is p orte nto u s boo k i n o n e h and h is u nrel e n t i n g p e n ,

h e l d i n t h e ot h e r or s tuck be neath his h at ba nd a n d th e

,
-
,

i n k bo t tl e ( black e m bl e m o f th e i nfor m er ) da ngl i n g fro m

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h is w a i s t coat b u tto n w e nt no t th e n fro m ale h o u s e t o ale

- - -

h ou s e d e no u n c i n g al l th o s e p a tri o t i c d ealer s i n s piri t w h o

, ,

pr e fe rred s el li n g w h i s ky w h ich h ad n oth i n g to d o w i t h

,

E n gl i s h l a w s (b u t to el ud e the m ) to retaili n g th at p oi s o n ,

o u s l iquor w h i c h deri ved i t s n a m e fro m th e Brit i s h pa r

,

l ia m e nt that co m pe ll e d i ts c i r c u latio n a m o n g a r e l u cta n t
,

peo p l e O r i f t h e gauger r e cord i n g an gel o f th e l a w

.

w rot e d o w n th e pe c c ad il lo of a p ub l i ca n h e d ro p ped a tear ,

U p o n th e w ord a n d blotted i t o u t for e ver !

,
F o r w e l co m e ,

t o th e table s of their h o s pi tabl e nei gh bo u r s th e g u ard i an s o f ,

the e xci s e w here th ey ex i s ted at all s cr u ple d to abri d ge

, ,

th o s e l u x uries w h i ch th e y fre e ly s hared ; a n d th u s th e c o m

petiti o n i n th e m arket bet w ee n the s m u ggler w h o i n curred ,

l ittle h azard a n d th e p er s o n age y cl epe d fai r trader w h o

, ,

enj oyed l i ttl e protectio n m ad e I rel a n d a la n d o w i n g n o t

, ,

m er e ly w i th m il k an d h o ney b u t w ith w h i s ky an d w i ne , ,

I n th e e nj oy m e n ts s u p p l ied by these a nd i n the m any ,

k i nd red p lea s ur e s to w hi c h fra i l y o u t h i s b u t too p ro ne ,

C harl e s Mac Carthy i n d ulged to s u c h a d e gree th at j u s t ,

a bo u t the ti m e w he n h e h ad co m p l eted hi s four a n d t w e n - -

t ie th year aft e r a w ee k o f great exce s s e s h e w as s ei zed

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w i th a v i olen t fe ver w h i c h fro m i ts m al i gn ity an d th e

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w e ak ne s s o f his fra m e l e ft s car ce ly a h ope of h is r e covery .

,

H is m other , w h o h ad at r s t m ade m any e ff ort s to c h e c k

h is v i ce s an d at la s t h ad bee n o bl i g e d to loo k o n at h i s r a
,

p i d p ro g re s s to r u i n i n s i l e nt d e s pai r w atch e d d ay a n d ,

n i gh t at h is p i ll o w The an g u i s h o f p aren tal fe el i n g w as

.

b le nd ed w i th th at s till d eeper m i se r y w h ic h th ose o n l y

 88 L E G E NDS O F T H E B A N S H EE .

k n o w w ho h a v e stri ve n h a r d to re ar i n v i rtu e a nd pi ety a

bel oved a n d favo u rit e ch ild ; h ave fo u n d h im gro w u p all
th at th ei r heart s c o u l d d esi re u n ti l h e r e a ch e d m an h o od ;
,

an d th e n w he n t hei r prid e w as h ighest a n d th ei r h opes

, ,

al m o s t e n d e d i n th e fu l l m e nt o f th ei r fo n d e s t expectati o n s ,
h a v e see n th i s id ol o f th ei r a ff e c ti o n s pl u n ge h ead lo n g i n t o
a cou rse o f reckle s s p r o igac y a nd after a rap i d c a ree r o f
, ,

v i ce , han g u po n the verge o f e t er n i ty w i th ou t th e l ei su r e ,

f o r o r th e p o w er o f r ep e nta n ce
, , F erve n tly sh e p rayed
.

th at i f h i s l i f e co u ld n ot b e S pare d at lea s t the d el i r i u m ,

, ,

w h i ch co n ti n u ed w ith i n c r easi n g v i ole n ce fro m th e rst fe w

h o u rs of h i s d i s ord er m i gh t va n i s h befo re d ea t h an d lea v e
, ,

e n o u gh o f l i gh t a n d o f cal m fo r m aki n g h is peace w ith o f

fe n ded H eave n A fte r several d ay s h o w e v er , na tu r e
.
,

s ee m ed q u ite exh a u s ted , an d h e su n k i nto a s tate t o o l i k e

d eath to be m i s take n for th e repose of sleep H i s f a ce h a d .

th at pal e glo s s y m arbl e l ook w h i ch i s i n gen er a l s o su r e

, , ,

a s y m pto m that l ife h as l eft its te ne m e n t o f cl ay H i s eyes .

w ere cl osed a n d s u n k ; th e l i d s h avi n g th at co m p r esse d an d

s ti ff e n ed appeara n ce w h i c h see m ed t o i n d i cate that so m e

fr i e n dly h a n d h ad d on e i ts la s t o fce Th e l ips h a l f cl ose d .

,
-

an d perfectly a s h y d i s co v ered j u s t s o m u ch o f th e teeth as

,

to gi ve to th e featu res of death th ei r m o st gh astly b u t m o s t ,

H e l ay u po n h is b a ck w it h h is h and s
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i m pre s si v e l o ok .
,

s tretch e d besi d e q u ite m otio nl ess ; a n d h i s d i st ra cte d m o

,

ther afte r repeated tri als , co ul d d isco v e r n o t th e lea s t s y m p

,

t o m of a n i m ati o n Th e m e d ic a l m an w h o atte nded h a v i n g

.
,

tri ed the u s u al m od es fo r ascertai n i n g the p r e s e n ce of l i fe ,

d eclared at l a s t h i s O p i n io n th a t i t w as o w n an d prepa r e d ,

to d e p art fro m th e h o u se o f m o u r n i n g H is h o rs e w as see n .

to co m e to the d oor A cro w d o f peopl e w h o w ere collect

.

e d b e fo re th e w i nd o w s o r s cattered i n gro up s o n th e l a w n
,

i n fro n t gath ered ro u n d w h e n th e door ope ned

,
The s e .

w ere te n a n t s fo s terer s an d p oor rel atio n s o f th e fa m ily

, , ,

w i th oth e r s attra c ted by a ffectio n o r by th at i nterest w h i c h

,

p artak e s o f c u ri o s i ty b u t i s so m e th i n g m ore an d w h i ch c o l
, ,

le c t s th e lo w er ran k s rou n d a h o u s e w h ere a h u m a n bei n g

i s i n h is pa s s age to a n oth e r w orl d Th ey s aw th e p r o fe s
.

s io u al m an c o m e o u t fro m t h e hall d oor a n d approac h h is

h or s e a n d w h il e s l o w ly a n d w i th a m el a n ch oly a i r h e
, , ,

prepared t o m o u n t, t h ey clu s t e r e d rou n d him w i th i n qu i r i n g

 L E G E NDS O F T H E B A N S H EE . 89

a nd w i s h fu l l o oks N o t a w ord w as S p oke n ; b u t th eir m ea n

.

i ng coul d n o t be m i s u n d er s tood ; an d the phy s i c i an w he n ,

h e had go t i nto h is s ad dle a n d w h ile the s er v an t w as s til l ,

hold i n g th e bridle as i f to d el ay h i m a n d w as l o oki n g

, ,

a nx i o u s ly at h is face as i f ex p ecti n g th at h e w ou ld rel i eve

,

th e ge n eral s u s p en s e sh ook h i s h ead a n d s ai d i n a l o w

, ,

vo ice I t s al l O v er J a m e s ; a nd m oved s lo w ly a w ay
,

,
.

Th e m o m en t h e h ad Sp ok e n the w o m e n p re s ent w h o w ere , ,

very n u m e ro u s u ttered a s h ri ll c r y w h i c h h avi n g b e e n

, , ,

s u stai n e d for abo u t h alf a m i n u te fe ll s u d d e nly i nto a fu ll , ,

l oud co n ti n ued an d d i s c orda n t b u t plai n ti ve w ail i n g , abov e

,

w h i ch o c c a s i o n al ly w er e h e ard th e d eep s ou n d s o f a m an s

v oi ce s o m e ti m e s i n broke n s ob s so m eti m es i n m or e d is
, ,

ti n ct excl a m atio n s o f s orro w Th i s w as C h arle s s fo s ter .

brothe r w h o m ov e d ab o u t i n th e cro w d n o w cl app i n g h is

, ,

h a nd s n o w ru bbi n g th e m to geth er i n a n ago ny o f grief

, .

Th e poor fello w h ad bee n C h arle s s play m ate a n d c o m pa
n i o n w he n a b oy a n d aft e r w ard s hi s s e rv an t ; h ad al w ay s
,

bee n d i s ti n g u i s hed by h i s p ec ul i ar regard a nd l ove d h is ,

o u n g m a s ter as m u ch at l e a s t as h e d i d h is o w n l ife
y , , , .

W h e n M rs M ac C arth y be c a m e co n vi n ced th at th e bl o w
.

w as i ndeed s tru ck a n d th at h er bel oved s o n w as s e n t to h is

,

l a s t accou nt eve n i n th e blo s s o m s o f h is s in s h e r e m a i n e d

, ,

for s o m e ti m e gazi n g w i t h x e d n e s s u p o n his col d fe at u re s ;

then as i f so m eth i n g h ad su dd e nly to u c h e d t he s tri ng o f
,
-

h er te n dere s t a ff e ctio n s tear after t e ar tri ckl e d d o w n h er

,

ch e e ks, pal e w ith an x i e ty a n d w atchi n g S till s h e c o n ti .

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n u e d loo k i n g at h e r so n a pp are ntly u n co n s c io u s t h at s h e

,

w as w e ep i n g w ith o u t o nce l ift i n g h er h an d k e r c h ief to her

,

eyes, u nti l r e m i nded o f the sad d u tie s w h i c h t h e c u s to m o f

th e cou ntry i m po s e d u po n h e r by the cro w d o f fe m ale s ,

bel o n gi n g to th e better cla s s o f th e pea s a ntry w ho n o w , ,

cryi n g a u di bly n earl y lled th e apart m e n t S h e the n

, .

w i thd re w to give d irect i o n s for th e cere m o ny o f w ak i n g

, ,

an d for s u p p lyi ng th e n u m erou s v i s i t e r s o f al l r a nk s w ith

the refr e s h m e nt s u s u al o n th e s e m e lan ch oly o cca s i o n s .

Th o u gh her vo i ce w as scarc e ly heard a nd th o u gh n o o n e ,

s aw h er b u t th e s e rva nt s a n d o n e o r t w o o ld follo w er s o f
the fa m i ly w h o a ss i s t e d her i n the nec e s s ary arra n g e m e nt s
, ,

e v ery th i n g w as co n d u cted w ith th e greate s t r e g ulari ty ;

an d thou gh sh e m ad e n o e ff ort t o ch eck he r s orr o w s t hey ,
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90 L E G E NDS OF THE B A N S HE E .

n e v e r o n ce S u spe nd ed h er atte n ti o n n o w m o r e th an e v e r ,

requ i red to p re s erv e order i n her h o u s e h old w h i ch i n th is , ,

s e a s o n o f cal a m i ty bu t fo r h e r w o ul d h a v e bee n al l c o n f u
,

Si o n.

Th e n i g h t w as pretty fa r ad van ce d ; th e b o i s terous l a

m e ntati o n s w h i ch h ad preva iled d ur i n g pa r t o f the d a y i n

a n d ab o u t t h e h ou se h ad gi ve n place to a s o le m n an d m o ur n
f u l s ti l l ne s s ; a n d M r s M ac Carth y w h ose h e art n o t w it h
.
, ,

s ta nd i n g h er l o n g fatigu e a n d w atch i n g w as yet to o s ore ,

f o r s l eep w as k n e eli n g i n fer v e nt p r ayer i n a ch a m ber ad

j oi n i n g t h at o f her s o n zs udd e n l y her d evo ti o n s w e r e d is
,

t u r b e d by an u n u s ual n o i s e p ro ceed i n g fro m th e per s o n s ,

w h o w ere w atchi n g rou n d th e body F irs t there w as a .

,

l o w m ur m u r th e n al l w as s i le nt as i f th e m ove m e nt s of ,

th ose i n t he ch a m ber w e re chec k ed by a su d d e n p a n i c

an d th e n a l ou d cry o f t e rror bu rst fro m al l w it h i n zth e
d oor o f th e ch a m ber w as th ro w n O pen an d a l l w h o w ere ,

n ot o v e rtu r n ed i n th e pre s s r u s h ed w il d ly i nto th e pass a ge

w h i c h l e d to th e s t ai r s a n d i nto w h i c h M r s M ac C arthy s
, .

ro o m o pe ned M r s M ac Car thy m ad e h er w ay th rou gh

'

. .

th e cro w d i n to he r so n s c h a m ber w h ere s h e fou n d h im

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s i tti n g u p i n th e bed a nd loo ki n vaca n tl y arou n d l i ke o ne

g ,

r is e n f r o m th e grave Th e gl are t h ro w n u po n h is su n k
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features a n d th i n lath y fra m e ga v e a n u n earthly h o r r o r to

h is w h ole a s p ect M rs M ac C arth y w as a w o m an o f s o m e
. .

r m n e s s ; b u t sh e w as a w o m a n a n d n ot qu i te free fro m the ,

s uper s titi o ns o f h er c ou ntry S h e d ro pp ed o n her k n ees .

,

a nd cl a s p i n g h er h a n d s began to pray al oud Th e fo r m

, , .

be f ore h er m o ved o nly i ts l i p s a n d barel y u tte r ed M o

,

ther ; bu t th o u gh the pale l i p s m oved as i f there w as a ,

d e s i gn to n i s h the s e nte n ce the t o n gu e r e fu s ed its o fce ,

.

M r s M ac C arthy s pr u n g for w a rd a n d catch i n g th e ar m of

.
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h er so n excl ai m ed S peak ! i n th e n a m e o f Go d a n d h i s
,

,

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,

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ap p are n t d i fculty
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si t d o w n a n d col lect y o u rs elf ; I ha v e th a t to tel l w h i c h w il l ,

a s to n i s h y o u s til l m ore t h a n w hat y o u ha v e s ee n

He .

l ean ed bac k o n his pill o w an d w h ile h is m othe r r e m ai ned ,

k neel i n g b y the bed Sid e h ol d i n g o n e o f h is h an d s cl aspe d

-
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i n h e r s an d gazi n g o n h im w ith the l o o k o f o n e w h o d i s

,
 LE GE NDS B A N SH E E 91

W
o r TH E .

t r uste d al l h e r se n s es h e proceede
,
d : d o n o t i n te r rupt

m e u n t i l I h a v e d o ne I w i s h to s peak w h ile th e ex c ite m en t

.

o f re turn i n g l ife i s u po n m e as I k n o w I s h all s oo n need ,

m u ch repo s e O f th e co m m e nc e m ent o f m y i ll ne s s I h a v e
.

o nly a co n fu s ed recollecti o n ; bu t w ith i n the l a s t t w el ve

h ou r s I h a v e bee n before t h e j u dg m e nt s eat o f G o d Do
n ot s tare i n c r ed u l ou s ly o n m e tis as tr u e as h ave b e e n m y
, .

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.

a w fu l J u d g e arrayed i n al l th e t e rror s w h i c h i n ve s t h im
u s t ic e
w h e n m ercy giv e s p lac e to
j T h e d readfu l p o m p o f

o ffe nded o m n i pote n ce I s aw I re m e m ber I t i s x ed

.

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h er e ; p ri nt e d o n m y brai n i n characte r s i n del i ble ; b u t i t

pa s s eth h u m an l ang u age h at I can de s cri be I w illI
.

m ay Sp ea k i t briey I t i s en o u g h to s ay I w as w e i g h ed
.
,

i n the bala nc e a n d fo u n d w a nti n g Th e irrevocabl e s e n .

te nce w as u p o n th e po i nt of be i n g pro n ou n c e d ; the e ye o f

m y A l m i ghty J u d ge w h ich h ad alread y gl a n ced u p o n m e
, ,

h a lf S pok e m y d oo m ; w h e n I o b s erved t h e guard ia n s ai nt ,

t o w h o m yo u s o oft e n d irected m y pray e r s w he n I w as a

chi ld looki n g at m e w i th a n expres s io n o f be n evole n ce a n d
,

co m p a s s io n I s tretched fort h m y ha n d s to h i m a n d b e
.
,

sou g h t h is i nterce s s io n ; I i m p lored th at o n e year o n e ,

m o n th m i gh t be gi ve n to m e o n earth to d o p e na n ce an d ,

ato ne m e n t for m y tran s gre s s i o n s H e th r e w h i m s e l f at

.

t h e feet o f m y J ud g e a nd s u pp l i c at e d for m e r c y
, Oh ! .

n ever n ot i f I s h o u ld p a s s t h rou g h t e n t h o u s a n d s u cce s

s i v e s tate s o f
b e i n g n ever for e t e rn ity s hall I for ge t th e
, ,

h orror s of that m o m ent w he n m y fate h u n g s u s p e nded

,

w he n a n i n s t a nt w as to d e cid e w h e th e r tor m e nt s u n u tte r a

bl e w ere to be m y p orti o n for e nd le s s a ge s ? B u t J u s t ice

suspen ded its decree a n d M e rcy s p oke i n a ccen t s o f r m
,

n e ss b u t m i ld ne s s R et u rn to t h at w orl d i n w h i ch th o u
,

,

ha s t l i v ed b u t to o utr age the la w s o f H im w h o m ad e that

w orl d a n d thee Th ree year s are g i ve n th e e for re pe nt
.

a n c e ; w h e n the s e are e n ded th o u s hal t agai n s ta n d h e r e,

,

t o be s av e d r lo t for e ver
o s I h eard n o m ore ; I s aw n o
.

m o re u nti l I a w oke to l i fe th e m o m e n t before yo u e n

, ,

te r e d .

C harles s strength co n ti n ue d j u s t l o n g e n ou gh to n ish

t h ese la s t w or ds an d o n utt e ri n g the m h e cl osed h is ey es

, ,

an d lay qu ite exhau s te d H is m other, th ou gh , as w as b e

.
 92 L E G E NDS OF THE B A N S H EE .

fo r e s a i d , s o m e w h at d i s p ose d to gi v e cred i t to S u pern a tu ral

V isitati o n s yet he s itat e d w heth er o r n ot s h e s h ou ld b e l ieve
,

th at alth o u gh a w ak e n ed fro m a s w oo n w h i ch m i g h t h a ve
, ,

bee n t he cri s i s o f h i s d i sea s e h e w as sti ll u nd e r t h e i n u ,

e n ce o f d e liri u m R epo s e h o w e ver w as at al l eve n t s n e

.
, ,

c e s s ar a n d s h e too k i m m e d i ate m ea s ur e s th at h e s h ou ld
y ,

e nj oy i t u n d i s turb ed A fter s o m e h o u r s Sle ep h e a w oke

.

,

refre s he d , a n d the n cefor w a rd grad ually b u t s tead ily re co

v ered .

S til l h e per s i s ted i n his acco u n t o f th e v i s i o n as h e h ad ,

at r s t rel ated i t ; an d his p e r s u a s io n of i ts r e al i ty h ad an

o bvi o us a n d dec i d e d i n u e n c e o n h i s h ab it s an d co nd u c t

W
.

H e d id n o t al togeth e r aba nd o n th e s o c i e ty o f his fo r m e r

a s s o ciate s for h is t e m p er w as n ot s o u r e d by h is r e for m a
,

ti o n ; b u t h e n ever j oi ne d i n thei r e xce s s e s a n d O fte n e u ,

d e av o u r e d to recl ai m th e m H o w h is p i o u s e xertio n s s u c
.

c e e d e d I h a v e n e v er l ear n t ; b ut o f h i m self i t i s r e corded

, ,

that h e w as rel i g i o u s w i thou t o s te ntati o n a n d te m pera te ,

w ith ou t au s teri ty ; gi vi n g a p ra cti cal p ro of that vi ce m a

y
b e excha n ged for vi rtu e i th o u t a l o s s o f re s pectab il i ty ,
,

p o p u l arity o r h a p pi n e s s
,
.

Ti m e rolle d o n a nd l on g befo r e th e th ree year s w e r e

,

e nd ed th e s tory O f h i s v i s i o n w as forgotte n o r w he n
, , ,

S poke n o f w as u s u al ly m entio ned as a n i n s tan ce p rovi n g

,

the folly o f beli ev i ng i n s u ch th i n g s C harle s s h ealth fro m .

t h e te m pera n ce a n d regul arity o f h is h ab it s beca m e m ore r o ,

b u s t th a n ever H is frie n d s i n deed h ad ofte n o cca s i o n to

.
, ,

r ally h i m u po n a s eri ou s ne s s a n d ab s tracted ne s s o f d e m ea n

o u r w h i c h gre w u po n h i m as h e ap p roach e d the co m pleti o n

,

o f hi s s ev e n a n d t w e nti e th y e ar b u t for th e m o s t p art h is

- -
,

m an n er exh i b ited th e s a m e a n i m atio n and cheerfu l n e s s f o r

w h i c h h e h a d al w ay s bee n re m arkable I n co m p an y h e .

e vade d e very e n deavou r to d ra w fro m h i m a d i s ti n ct O p i n io n

o n th e s u bj e ct of th e s u ppo s ed pred i cti o n ; b u t a m o n g h is o w n

fa m ily i t w as w el l k n o w n th at h e s til l r m ly b e l iev e d it .

H o w e v er w h en th e d ay h ad n early arri ved o n w h i c h t h e

,

pro p hecy w as i f at all to b e ful ll e d h is w h o le a p pe ar an c e

, , ,

ga v e such pro m ise o f a l o n g a nd h e al th y l i fe th at h e w as ,

persuaded by h is fri end s to as k a larg e p arty to an e nter

t ai n m e n t a t S pri n g H ou s e t o celeb rate h i s bi rth d ay , B ut -
.

t h e o cc a si o n o f th i s p a rty , and the c i r c u m st an ce s w h i ch

 L E G E N D S O F T H E B A NS H E E . 93

atte n de d it w i l l be best lea rn ed fro m a perusal of th e f o l

,

l o w i n g lett e rs w h i ch ha ve bee n carefully pre s erved by s o m e

,

r elatio n s o f h is fa m ily Th e r s t is fro m M r s Mac Carth y

. .

to a l ady a very n ea r co n nexi o n a n d val ued frie nd o f hers

, ,

w h o l i v e d i n th e c o u nty of Cork a t abo u t ft y m iles d is ,

t an ce fro m S p ri n g H ou s e .

To Mr s B ar r y, C as tle B
. . arr y .

Sp r in g H o u se , T u e s d ay m o rn in g,
O ctob e r 1 5th , 1 752
DE A R E ST M A R Y
.

MY ,

I am afrai d I am go i n g t o pu t yo u r a ff ecti o n f o r yo u r
O l d fri e n d a nd k i n s w o m a n t o a s evere trial A t w o d ay s
.

j ourn e y at th i s s ea s o n o ver bad road s a n d th rou g h a tro u

,

bled co u ntry i t w i ll i nd e ed requ ire fri e nd s h i p s u ch as yo u rs

,

to per s u ad e a s o ber w o m a n to e n co u n te r B u t th e tr ut h .

i s I ha ve o r fa n cy I h ave m ore tha n u s ual cau s e fo r w i s h

, , ,

i n g y o u near m e Y o u k no w m y so n s s to r y
. I ca n t tel l
.

h o w i t i s b u t as n ext S u nd ay approach e s w he n th e p r e
, ,

d ictio n o f h is drea m o r h i s v i s i o n w i l l b e p roved fal s e o r

true I feel a s i ck e n i ng of th e h eart w h i ch 1 ca n n ot s up
, ,

pre s s b u t w h i c h your p re s en ce m y dear M ary w i ll s ofte n ,

, , ,

as i t has d o ne s o m any of m y s orro w s M y nep h e w J a m es .

,

R yan is to be m arried to J an e O s bor n e (w h o y o u kn o w

, , ,

i s m y s o n s w ard ) a n d th e bridal e n t e rtai n m e n t w il l take

,

pl ac e h e r e o n S u nday next th ou gh C harle s p leaded h ard

,

to h ave i t po s t p o ned a d ay or t w o lo n ger W o u l d to Go d .

b u t n o m ore o f th i s t il l w e m e et D o prevai l u po n your

.

sel f to l e ave yo ur goo d m an for o n e w e e k i f h i s far m i n g ,

co n cern s w ill n o t ad m it o f h is acco m pany i n g y o u ; a n d co m e

to u s w i t h t h e girl s as s oo n b e fore S u n d ay as y o u ca n
,
.

E ver m y d ear M ary s attached cou s i n an d frie n d

,

A N N M A C CA R THY .

A l th ou gh th i s letter re a ch ed C a s tle Barry earl y o n

W e d ne s day th e m e s s e nger h a vi n g travell e d o n foot o ver
, ,

ho g a n d m oo r by p ath s i m p a s s abl e to h orse o r c arriage

, ,

M r s Barry w h o at o n ce d eter m i ned o n g o i n g h ad s o

.
, ,

m a ny arra ng e m e nt s to m ake fo r th e reg u l a t i o n o f her d o

m e s t ic aff ai r s (w h ich i n I rela n d , a m o n g the m id dle o r ders
,
94 L E G E ND S O F T H E B A N S H E E .

o f th e ge n try fall so o n i nto co n fu s i o n w h e n th e m i s t ress

,

o f th e fa m il y is a w ay ) that s he a n d h er t w o yo u n ge r
,

d a u g hter s w e re u n abl e to l e ave h o m e u ntil lat e o n t h e

m orn i n g o f F rid ay T h e el d e s t d a u gh t e r re m ai n e d to ke e p
.
,

h er fath e r co m p a n y a n d s u p eri nt e n d th e co n c e rn s of th e
,

W
h o u s e h old A S th e travel l e r s w e re to j o u r ney i n a n o p e n
.

o n e h or s e veh i c l e call e d a ja u n ti n g c ar (s ti ll u s e d i n I r e
-
,
-

l and ) a n d as th e roa ds bad at al l ti m e s w ere r e n d e r e d s ti l l

, , ,

w or s e by th e h eavy rai n s i t w as th e i r d e s i gn to m ake t w o ,

e a s y s tage s ; to s t e
p abou t m id w a
y th e r s t n i g h t an d reac
-
h ,

S p ri n g H o u s e e arly o n S at u rd ay ev e n i n g Th i s arra n ge .

m e n t w as n o w al t e r e d as t h ey fo u n d that fro m th e l ate ne s s

,

o f thei r d ep art u re th e y co u ld p ro ceed at the u t m o s t n o

, , ,

furth er th a n t w e n ty m i le s o n th e rs t d ay ; a n d th e y t h ere
fore p ur p o s ed s lee p i n g at the h o u s e o f a M r B o u rke a .
,

fri en d o f their s w h o l ived at s o m e w h at l e s s th an th at d is

,

ta n c e fro m Ca s tle B arry T h e y r e ach e d M r Bou r k e s i n

. .

safety aft e r rath er a d i s agr ee able d riv e

,
h at b e fe ll the m .

o n t h e i r j our n ey th e n ex t d a
y to t h e S p ri n g H o u s e an d ,

aft er thei r arri val there i s fu l ly r e lated i n a letter fro m the

,

sec o n d M iss B arry to he r el d est si s ter .

S H
p r in g o u s e , S u n d ay e v e n in g,
20th O
c t o b e r , 1 752 .

D E A R E LL E N,
As m
n
y m other s letter w h ich e cl oses th i s w il l an, ,

n o u n ce to o u briey t h e s ad i ntell i g e n ce w h i ch I Sh al l
y
h ere rel ate m or e fu lly I t h i n k i t b e t t er to go re g ul arly
,

th ro ugh the reci tal o f th e ex traord i n ar y e v e n t s o f t h e last

t w o d ays .

Th e B ou rke s kept u s U p so l ate o n F riday n i gh t th a t ,

ye s terday w as p retty far ad va n ce d b e fore w e co u l d b e gi n

o u r j o u rn e y a n d th e d ay c l o s e d w h e n w e w e r e n e arly f
,

tee n m il e s d i s ta n t fro m th i s p lace Th e road s w e r e e x ce s .

s i v e ly d eep fro m the h ea vy rai n s o f th e la s t w e e k a nd w e

, ,

proceeded s o s l o w l y that a t la s t m y m oth e r re s ol v e d o n

,

pa s s i n g th e n i gh t at th e h ou s e o f M r B o u rk e s b rot he r .

w h o l i v e s a bou t a q u art e r of a m i l e o ff th e road a n d

( ) ,

co m i n g h ere t o br e akfa s t i n th e m orn i n g Th e d ay h ad .

b ee n w i n dy an d sh o w ery a n d th e s k y l ooked tf u l gloo m y

, , ,

a nd u n ce r t a i n Th e m o o n w as full , a n d a t ti m e s s h o n e
.
 L E G E ND S O F TH E B A N S H EE . 95

clea r an d brigh t ; at oth ers i t w as w h olly co n ceale d beh i n d ,

th e th i ck bla c k an d r u gg e d m a s s e s of cl o u d s th at roll e d
, , ,

ra p i d ly al o n g an d w e r e every m o m e nt b e co m i n g l ar ger
, ,
an d c oll ec t i n g to ge th e r as i f gath e ri n g s tr e n gt h f o r a
,

co m i n g s tor m T h e w i nd w h i c h bl e w i n o u r fa c e s w h is
.
, ,

t le d b l eakl y alo n g th e lo w h e d ge s o f t h e n arro w road o n ,

w h i c h w e p roce e d e d w i t h d i fc u lty fro m the n u m b er o f

d e ep Slo u gh s a n d w h i c h a ff ord e d n o t th e lea s t s h elt e r n o

, ,

pla ntatio n b e i n g w i th i n s o m e m il e s o f u s My m oth er .

,
ther e for e a s k e d L eary ; w h o d ro ve th e j a u n ti n gcar h o w
, ,

far w e w e r e fro m M r Bo u rk e s " T is a b o u t te n s p ade s

.

.

W
fro m thi s to t h e cro s s an d w e h ave the n o nly to tu r n t o
,

t h e l e ft i n t o th e av e n u e m a a m V ery w e ll Leary : tur n

,

.

,

to M r Bo u rk e s as s oo n as yo u rea c h th e cro s s road s

U
p . .

M y m oth e r h ad s c ar ce ly S p oke n t h e s e w ord s w he n a ,

s h ri e k t hat m a d e u s thrill as i f o ur very hea r t s w e re p ierce d

by i t b u r s t fro m th e h e d ge to th e ri g h t O f o u r w ay I f i t
, .

r e s e m b l e d a ny t h i n g e ar t h ly i t s e e m ed th e c ry o f a fe m al e , ,

s tr u c k by a s u d d e n a n d m ortal blo w an d g ivi n g o u t h e r ,

l i fe i n o n e l on g d eep p an g of e x p iri n g ago ny H eave n .

d e fen d u s ! e x clai m e d m y m oth e r

G o yo u o ver t he .

h e d g e L e ar y a nd s av e t hat w o m a n i f s h e is n ot yet d ead

, , , ,

w h il e w e r u n ba c k to t h e b u t w e j u s t p a s s e d a n d alar m ,

the v ill ag e n e ar it o m a n ! s a i d L e ary b e ati n g t h e

.

,

h or s e vi ol e ntly w h il e h is v o i c e tr e m bl e d
, t h at s n o w o

m an : t h e s oo n e r w e g e t o n m a a m th e bett e r ; a n d h e

, ,

c o n ti n u e d his e ffort s to q u i c k e n th e h or s e s p a ce W e s aw
.

n oth i n g T h e m oo n w as b id I t w as q u i t e d ark a n d w e
. .
,

had b ee n for s o m e ti m e e x pe c t i n g a h eavy f all o f rai n , .

B u t j u s t as L e ary h ad s p oke n a n d h ad s u c c eed e d i n m aki n g ,

the h or s e t ro t bri s kl y for w ard w e d i s ti n ctly h eard a l o u d ,

cla pp i n g of h a nd s follo w e d by a s u cc e s s i o n o f s c r e a m s t h at
, ,

s ee m e d t o d e not e t h e la s t e x c e s s o f d e s p ai r a nd an g u i s h ,

a n d to i s s u e fro m a pe r s o n r u n n i n g for w ard i n s id e the h e d ge ,

to k eep p a ce w i t h o u r p rogr e s s S till w e s aw n o th i n g ; .

u n ti l w h e n w e w e re w i t h i n abou t te n yard s of th e p l a c e
,

w h e re a n av e n u e bran c h e d O ff to M r B o u rk e s to th e l e ft

.
,

a nd th e ro ad t u rned to S p ri n g H ou s e o n th e ri gh t th e m oo n ,

s tar t e d s u d d e nly fro m b e h i nd a cl ou d an d e na b l e d u s to ,

se e,
as pla i n ly as I n o w s e e t h i s p aper th e g u re o f a tal l ,

th in w o m an , w ith u n co v ere d he a d , an d l on g h a i r th a t o at ~
 96 LE GEN DS o r T HE B A NS H EE .

ed ro u n d h e r sh o ul d ers a tti r e d i n so m eth i n g w h i ch see m e d

,

e ith e r a loose w h i te cl oak o r a Sheet th ro w n h a s tily abou t

,

h er S h e s to od o n th e cor n er hed ge w h ere th e road o n

.
,

w h ich w e w ere m e t th at w h i ch lead s to S pri n g H ou s e ,

,

w i th her fac e to w ard s u s h er left h a n d po i nti n g to th i s

,

place a n d h er r igh t ar m w avi n g ra p i dly a n d v i ole ntly as

, ,

i f to d ra w u s o n i n th at d irecti o n Th e h ors e h ad sto p ped , .

ap p are n tl y fri ghte n ed at th e sudde n pre s e n ce o f t h e u r e

g ,
w h i c h s to o d i n th e m a n ner I h a v e d e s cri bed s ti ll u tteri n g ,

th e sa m e p ierci n g cries for a bo u t h alf a m i n u te I t t h e n

, .

leape d U p o n th e road d i s appeared fro m o u r V i e w fo r o n e

,

i n s ta nt a n d th e n ex t w as s ee n sta nd i n g u po n a h i gh w al l a
,

l ittle w ay u p th e a v e n u e o n w h i c h w e p ropo s e d go i n g stil l

, ,

po i n ti n g to w ard s th e road to S pr i n g H o u s e b u t i n a n atti ,

t u d e o f d e a n ce a n d co m m a nd as i f pre p ared to O p po s e o u r
,

pa s s age u p th e ave n u e Th e g u re w as n o w q u i t e S i le n t
.
,

a n d i ts gar m e n t s w h i ch h ad before o w n l oo s e ly i n th e
,

w i nd w e re cl os e ly w r ap p ed aro u n d i t
, G o o n L eary t o .
, ,

S p ri n g H ou s e i n G o d s n a m e s aid m y m oth e r ; w h a tever

,

,

w orl d i t b e lo n g s to w e w i ll pro v o ke i t n o l o n g e r

,
Ti s .

th e B a n s hee m a a m sai d L eary ; a n d I w o u ld n o t fo r

,

,

,

w h at m y l i fe i s w orth go a ny w here th i s ble s sed n i gh t b u t

,

to S pri n g H ou s e B u t I m afrai d th er e s s o m e t h i n g bad

.

go i n g for w ard o r s he w o u l d n ot s e nd u s th e re
,
S o s ayi n g .

,

h e d ro ve for w ard ; an d as w e t u rned o n t he road to th e

r i gh t t he m o o n s ud de nly w i thd re w i ts l i ght a n d w e s aw
, ,

th e appariti o n n o m ore ; bu t w e h eard plai n ly a p rol o n ge d

clappi n g o f h an d s grad u ally d y i n g a w ay as i f i t i s s u e d fro m
, ,

a per s o n rap id ly retr e ati n g W e p ro ce e d ed as q u i ckly as

.

th e bad ne s s o f th e road s an d th e fati gue o f th e p oor a ni m a l

that d re w u s w o u ld allo w an d arri ved h ere abou t ele v e n
,

o cl o ck la s t n i gh t The s c e n e w h i c h a w a it e d u s y ou h aV e

.

lear ned fro m m y m oth e r s l e tter To ex p lai n i t fu lly I

.
,

m u s t r ecou nt t o y o u so m e o f th e tra n sacti o ns w h i c h too k

pl ace h ere d u ri n g t h e l a s t w ee k .

Y o u are a w are th at J a ne O s born e w as to h av e b e e n m ar
ried t h i s d ay t o J a m e s R y an a n d th at th ey a nd th ei r frie n d s
,

h ave b ee n h e re for th e la s t w e e k O n T u e s day la s t th e v e ry. ,

d ay o n th e m orni n g o f w h i ch cou s i n M ac Carthy d e s p atch ed

th e l e tt e r i n vi ti n g u s h e re th e w h ol e o f th e co m pa n y w e r e
,

w a l ki n g abo u t the gro u nd s a l ittle before d i n ner It see m s .

 L E G E ND S OF THE B A N S H EE . 97

that an u n fortu n ate creature w h o h ad bee n sed uced by ,

J a m e s R ya n w as s ee n p ro w l i n g i n th e nei ghbou rh ood i n a

,

m oody m el anch oly s tate for s o m e day s p revi o u s H e had .

s ep arat e d fro m her for s ev e ral m o n t h s an d t h e y s ay h ad p ro , , ,

v i d e d for her rat h er ha n d s o m ely ; b u t Sh e had bee n s e d u c e d

by the p ro m i s e of h is m arryi n g h e r ; a n d t h e s h a m e o f h e r
u nha p py co nd i tio n u n i ti n g w i t h d i s a pp o i nt m en t a nd jea
,

l ou s y had d i s ord e r e d h e r i ntel le c t s D u ri n g th e w h ol e

, .

fore n oo n o f th i s T u e s d a y s h e h ad bee n w al k i n g i n t h e
,

planta t i o n s ne ar S p r i n g H o u s e w ith h e r cl oak fol d e d t i gh t

,

arou n d h e r th e h o od n e arly coveri n g h e r fa c e ; a n d s h e h ad

W
,

avo id e d c o n ver s i n g w i t h o r ev e n m ee ti n g a ny of th e fa m ily .

C harl e s M a c Carthy at th e ti m e I m e nti o n e d w as

, ,

w al ki n g bet w e e n J a m e s R ya n an d a n oth e r a t a l it tl e d is ,

tance fro m th e re s t o n a grav e l p ath s k irti n g a s h r u bb e ry

, , .

Th e w h ol e p arty w e re t h ro w n i nto th e u t m o s t c o n s t e r n a
t io n by the r ep o rt of a pi s tol r e d fro m a th ickly p l ante d ,

p art o f th e s hr u bb e ry w h ich C h arl e s a n d h is c o m p a n i o n s

,

h ad j u s t p a s s ed H e fe l l i n s ta ntly a nd i t w as fo u nd th at
.
,

h e h ad bee n w o u nd e d i n th e l e g O n e o f the p arty w as a .

m e d i c al m an ; h is a s s i s ta n ce w as i m m e d i at e ly g i v e n a nd , ,

o n exa m i n i n g h e d ec l ared that th e i nj u ry w as v e ry s l i gh t

, ,

that n o bon e w as b roken th at i t w as m e r e l y a e s h w o u n d

, ,

a nd that i t w o u ld c ertai nl y be w e l l i n a f e w day s e .

s h al l k no w m or e b y S u nday s ai d C harle s as h e w as carrie d

, ,

to h is c ha m b e r H is w ou n d w as i m m ed iat e ly d re s s ed an d
.
,

s o s li gh t w as th e i n c o n ve n i e n ce w h i ch i t ave t h at s e v eral
g ,

o f h is frie nd s Sp e nt a porti o n of t h e eve n i n g i n h i s a part

m en t .

O n i nq u i ry i t w as fo u n d th at th e u nl u cky Sh ot w as
,

r e d by th e p oor gi rl I j u s t m enti o n e d I t w as al s o m a n i .

fe s t t h at s he h ad a i m e d n ot a t C h arles b u t at th e d e s troyer
, ,

o f h e r i n no ce n ce a n d h a pp i n e s s w h o w as w al ki n g b e s id e ,

h im . A fte r a fr u i t le s s s e arc h for h e r t hro u gh the gro u nd s ,

s h e w al k e d i nto th e h o u s e of h er o w n accord l a u h i n an d
g g , ,

d a n c i n g a n d s i ngi ng w ild ly a n d ev e ry m o m en t e x clai m i n g

,

that s he h ad at la s t k i ll e d M r R y an W he n s h e h e ard . .

that i t w as C harl e s a n d n ot M r R ya n w ho w as s hot s h e

, .
, ,

fe ll i nto a vi ol e n t t o u t o f w h i c h aft e r w orki n g c o n v u l

, ,

s iv e l for so m e ti m e Sh e S p ru n g t o th e d oor e s c a pe d fro m

y , ,

the cr o w d that pu r s ue d her, a n d co uld ne v er be t ake n u n ti l

9
98 L E G E NDS OF T H E B A NS H E E .

l ast n i gh t w h e n Sh e w as brou gh t h e r e per fectly fra n ti c , a

, ,

l ittle b e fore o u r arri val .

C h arle s s w o u n d w as th ou gh t o f su ch l ittle co n s equ e n ce ,

th at th e pr ep aratio n s w e n t for w ard as u s u al fo r th e w e d , ,

d i n g e n t e rtai n m e n t o u S u n d ay B u t o n F rid ay n i gh t h e .

g r e w r e s tl e s s an d fe veri s h a n d o n S atu rd ay (y e sterd ay )

,

m or n i n g fel t s o i ll th at i t w as d ee m ed nece s s ary to ob tai n

,

ad d i ti o nal m ed i cal ad v ice T w o p hy s i c ia n s an d a s u rgeo n

.

m e t i n co n s ul tati o n ab ou t t w el ve o cl o ck i n th e d ay an d

,

th e d read ful i n tel l i ge nce w as a n n ou n ced th at u nle s s a ,

ch a n ge h ar d l y h o p ed f o r to o k p lace before n i gh t d eath

, , ,

m u s t hap p e n w ith i n t w e n ty fo u r h o urs aft e r Th e w o u n d

-
.

i t s ee m s had be e n to o ti gh tly ba nd aged a n d other w i s e i n

, ,

j ud i ci o u s ly tr e ated Th e p hysi c ia n s w ere ri gh t i n thei r

.

ant i c i pati o ns N o favou ra ble s y m pto m ap p ear e d a n d l o n g

.
,

b e fore w e r e ach e d S pri n g H ou s e e v e ry ray O f h ope h ad

v a n i s h ed Th e sce n e w e w i t ne s s ed o n o u r arri val w o ul d
.

h av e w r u n g th e h e art o f a d e m o n
*

W e h e ard bri ey a t .

th e gate th at M r C harl e s w as U p o n h is d eath bed W h e n

.
-
.

w e reach ed th e h ou s e th e i n fo r m ati o n w as co n r m ed by
,

the s erva n t w h o O p e n ed the d o o r B u t j u s t as w e e n tered , .

w e w ere h orri ed by th e m o s t appalli n g s crea m s i s s u i n g

fro m th e stai rca s e M y m oth e r th o u gh t s h e h ear d the

.

v oi ce o f poo r M r s M ac C arthy a n d S pr u n g for w ard

. We , .

foll o w ed a n d o n a s ce n d i n g a f e w s t ep s o f the s tai rs w e

, ,

fou n d a y ou n g w o m a n i n a s tate o f fra nti c pa s s io n s tr u g

, ,

gl i n g fu riou s l y w i th t w o m e n s erva n t s w h o s e u n ited -

,

s t re n gth w as h a r d ly s u fci e n t to p r e v e n t her r u s h i n g u p

s tai r s o ver th e b od y o f M rs M a c Cart h y w h o w as ly i n g .

,

i n s tro n g h y s t e ri c s U p o n th e s t ep s T h is I aft e r w ard s .

,

d i s co ver e d w as th e u n hap p y gi rl I b e for e de s cri bed w h o

, ,

w as att e m p ti n g to gai n ac c e s s to C h r l e s s roo m to g e t

p , .

h is fo rgive n e s s as s h e s aid ,

b e for e h e w e nt a w ay to ac ,

c u s e h er for h av i n g kill e d h i m Th i s w i ld id e a w as m i n .

gl e d w i t h a no th e r w h i c h s e e m ed t o d i s p u t e w i th th e fo r
,
?

m e r p o s s e s s i o n o f h e r m i n d In o n e s e n t e n ce s h e called o n
.

C harl e s to forg i ve h e r i n th e n e xt Sh e w ou ld d e n o u nc e
,

J a m e s R y an as t h e m u rderer bo th o f C harl e s an d h e r A t .

l en g t h s he w as tor n a w ay ; a n d th e la s t w ord s I heard h e r

scr e a m w e re J a m e s R ya n t w a s y o u k i l l e d h i m , a n d n o t;
,

,

I t w a s y o u ki lled h i m , a nd n ot l

.
 L E G E ND S OF T H E B A N S H EE . 99

M rs M ac Carth y o n recoveri n g fel l i n to th e ar m s o f

.
, ,

m y m other w ho s e p r e s e n c e s ee m e d a great r e li e f t o h e r
, .

S he w e p t the r s t tear s I w as tol d th at She h ad s h e d s i nce

, ,

th e fatal accid e nt S he co nd u c t e d u s to C harle s s ro o m

.

,

w h o Sh e s ai d h ad desired to s e e u s the m o m e n t o f o u r ar
,

r i v al as h e fo u nd h is e n d a pp roa c h i n g a n d w i s h e d t o de
, ,

v ote th e l a s t h o u r s of h is e x i s t e nce to u n i nt e rr u p ted p raye r

a n d m editati o n W e fo u n d h im p erfe ctly cal m re s i gned
.
, ,

and e ve n che e rful H e S p oke o f th e a w fu l ev e n t w h i ch

.

w as at h a n d w i t h co u ra g e an d co n d e n ce a n d treat e d i t as,

a d oo m for w h i c h h e h ad b e e n pre p ari n g e v e r s i nce h is

for m er re m arkable i ll ne s s a n d w h i c h h e ne ver o n c e d o u bted
,

w as tr u ly foretol d to h i m H e bad e u s fare w el l w i t h th e

.

a ir o f o ne w h o w as abo u t to travel a sh ort and ea s y j ou rney ;

a n d w e left h i m w i th i m pre s s i o n s w hi c h n ot w i t h s tand i n g
,

al l th eir an g u i s h w i ll I tr u s t n e ver e n t i r e ly for s ak e u s

, , , .

P oor VI r s Ma c Car t hy
l . b u t I am j u s t c all e d a w ay .

The r e see m s a s l ight s ti r i n th e fa m ily ; perhap s

The ab o ve letter w as n e v er n i s h e d Th e e n c l o s ure to .

w h ich i t m ore th a n o n ce al l u de s tol d th e s e q u e l bri e y

, ,

a n d i t i s al l th at I h ave farth e r l e ar n e d O f th i s bra n c h o f

the M a c Carthy fa m ily B efore th e s u n h ad go n e d o w n
.

U po n C harle s s seve n a n d t w e n tieth b irthd a y h is s o ul h ad

- -
,

go n e to ren der its l a st accou n t to its C reat o r .

W W
co rre c tl y w r itt e n s he fai ri es o r w o me n fai ri e s c re d u
BA N S H E E , -

lo u s ly s u pp o s e d b y t he c o m mon p e o p le t o b e s o a ffec t e d t o ce rt ai n
,

f ami l i e s t h a t t he y ar e h e ard t o s i n g m o u r n f u l l am e n t ati o n s ab o ut

, ,

t he i r ho us e s at n ig ht w he never any o f t he f ami l y l ab o urs u n der a

,

s i ck n e s s w h i c h is t o e n d i n d e at h B ut n o f ami l i e s w hi c h are n o t
,

o f an an c i e n t an d n o b le s t o ck ar e b el i e v e d t o b e h o n o ur e d w i th t h i s

f ai ry p ri v i l e g e O B R I E N S I r i s h D i c ti o n ar y

W
F o r acc o u n t s o f t he app e a r an ce o f t he I r i s h B an s hee s e e
. .

Pe r
s o n al Ske t c h e s Se e b y S i r J o n ah B ar r i n g t o n ; M i s s Le fan u s Me
,

m o i rs o f h e r Gran d m o t he r M r s F r an ce s She r i d an p 32;

.
,

Th e M e mo i rs o f L ady F an s ha w t al t e r S c o tt i n
, . .

(q u o e d b y S i r
a n o te o n t he L ady o f t he &c
al te r S c o tt t e rms t he b el i e f i n t he a pp e ar an ce o f t he B an
.

S ir
s h ee o n e o f t h e m o s t b e au ti f u l o f t he le ad i n g SU p e r s t it io n s o f

E u ro p e L e tt ers o n D e m o n ol o gy he s ays t hat s everal

W W

In h i s
f a mi l i e s o f t he H i gh l an d s o f S c o tl an d an c i e n t l y l aid cl ai m t o t he
.
,

d i s ti n c ti o n o f an att e n d an t s p i r it w ho p e r fo r me d t he o f ce o f t he
I ri s h B a n s hee an d p ar ti c ul ar l y r e fe rs t o the s u p e rn at u r a l c r i e s an d
,

m e n t ati on s w h i c h f o re b o de d t he de at h o f t he g all an t M ac Le an o f
,

W
lahb
oc u)
T he ;
el s h Gw r ac h y R hib yn (o r the b ag o f the D r ibb le) b e ars
s o m e re s e mb l an ce t o t he I r i s h B a n s hee b e i n g r e g ar d e d as an o me n

W
o f de a t h S he is s ai d t o c o m e af t e r d u s k an d ap h e r le at he rn
,

i n gs ag ai n s t t he w i n do w w he re s he w ar n s o f d e at h an d i n a
.

b ro ken h o w l i ng t o ne t o c all o n the o n e w ho is t o quit m o r t al ity b y

,

his o r h e r n am e s e v e r al ti m e s as t hu s A a a n u i i i i ! A n n i
, ,
- - - - -

- - .

F o r s o m e f ar t he r
, ,

M S Co mmu n i c ati o n f r o m D R O E N P U G H E
p arti c ul ars s e e i n A R el a ti o n o f A pp ariti o n s & c b y the R e v
. . .

his acc o u n t f t he K yhi r r ae t h

, , , .

E dm u n d J o n e s a d o le f u l f o re

b o di ng no i s e b e fo r e de at h; an Ho w ell s C amb r i an Sup ers titi ons

, ,

p t p
,

( T i o n 3 1
T he r e ade r w i ll p r o b ab l y r e me mb e r t he h it e L ady o f t he H o u s e
, . .

o f B ran de n b u rg h an d t he f ai r y M el us i n e w h o u s u a ll y p r o g n o s ti c at e d
t h e r ec u r r e n ce o f m o r t al ity i n s o m e n o b le f am i l y o f P o it o u P r i n ce
, ,

i n his o r t hi e s o f D evo n r ec o r d s t h e app e ar a n ce o f a w h it e

.
,

bird p erfor mi ng t he s ame O fce fo r the w o rs hi p ful l i ne age o f O xe n

,

W
h am
t b i v in p i rit i i n at
.

In the T yr o l , t o o , h e y el e e a s w h c h l o o ks t he
win do w o f t he ho u s e in i p
w h c h a e rs o n is t o d ie (D e u ts c he S ag e n ,
N o t he w h e w o m a w h it
e l o e he r he d n it a v i
ans w e s vr a r
t iti on ni
.

t o t h e B an s hee ; b u t t he o f t he K l a e w e zb (mo u r
'

r ad g n
g
-

w o ma , )in n t he L ime b u r g e r H e at h (Sp i e ls A r c hi v re ii

b it ti tr i t
. .

s e m le s s ll m o r e cl o s el y O n s o m y n gh s , w he t he m o o n n
i int t ti n t i n ti
.

s h ne s f a ly hr o u gh t he ee g cl o u ds , S he s alk s , o f g g a c
t t r it
s a u e, w t i p t ba
h d e a h l ke as e c , an d l ck ho ll o w eye s , w r a
- pt i n
t i t in
g a e cl o he s w h c h o a
rv -
in tr t
t he w d, an d s e c he s he r mme s e i n
t tt i tb i
ar m o v e t he s o l i ar h u t , u e r n l am e n a le c r e s in the t e m p e s t u
r y g
o u s da k es s
r n n t r ov r i
B e e a h t he o o f e w h c h t he K lag e w e i b h as -

in t t in t
.

le a e d , o n e o f the m a e s mu s die t he c o urs e o f the m o n h

n

O I
.

T H E B R T H E R S GR M M , an d M S Co mmu n i c ati o n f r o m D R

IL
LI G
. .

AM R IMM.
L E G E N D S O F T H E P H O O K A .

Ne - i ti
p
le t ho u s e r e s , n o r l g h n n gs h el le s s h arms ,
Ne t pi t
le t t he P o u k e , n o r o h e r 8 V l l s r g h ,
Ne i i it it t i
l e t m s c h e v o u s w c he s w h h e r c h ar ms ,
Ne b bi
le t h o g o l n s , n am e s w h o s e s e n s e w e s e e n o t ,
it t i t t
F r ay u s w h h n g s ha b e n o t

.

SP E N S E R .

T H E SP I RI T H O R SE .

X IV .

T H E h i s tory o f M or ty S
ll i va n o u ght to be a w ar n i n g to
u

all y o u n g m e n to s t ay at h o m e an d to l iv e d e c e n tly a n d
,

sob e rly i f th e y ca n a n d n ot to go ro vi n g ab ou t th e w orld

, .

M orty w he n h e h ad j u s t tu r ned of fourt ee n , ra n a w ay fro m

,

h is fa t her a n d m oth er w h o w er e a m i gh ty r e s pe c tabl e o l d

,

co u ple an d m a ny a n d m an y a te ar th ey s h e d o n h i s ac co u n t
, .

I t is s ai d they both d i e d h e art broke n fo r h is lo s s : al l they

-

e v er learned abo u t h i m w a s th at h e w e n t o n board of a s h i p

bo u n d to A m eric a .

Th irty y ear s a fte r th e ol d cou pl e had bee n l a id pe a cefully

3
k
9
1 02 THE SP IR IT H ORSE .

in thei r g rav e s th e r e ca m e a stra n ge r to B e e r h av e n i n

,

q u i ri n g after th e m it w as th ei r s o n M orty ; an d to s peak ,

t he tr u t h o f h i m h i s h eart d i d see m fu l l o f s orro w w h e n

,

h e h eard th at h i s p are nt s w e re d ead an d go n e ; b u t w hat -

e l s e co u l d he ex p ect to he a r ? R epe n ta n ce ge n erally co m es

w h e n i t i s too l ate .

M orty S ull i van h o w ever as a n a to n e m e n t for his 5 1 08

, , ,

w as r eco m m e n ded to perfor m a p ilgri m age to th e ble s s ed

cha p el o f S ai n t Go b n at e , w h i ch i s i n a w il d place cal le d

B ally v ou r n ey .

Th i s b e re ad ily u n d ertook : a n d w il l i n g to l o s e n o ti m e ,

c o m m en ced h is j o u rn e y th e s a m e aft e r n oo n H e h ad n o t .

proc e ed ed m a ny m i le s b e fore th e eve n i n g c a m e o n : there

w as n o m oo n an d th e s tar l i ght w as o bs c ured by a th i ck f o
g
-
, ,

w h i ch a s ce nd ed fro m th e vall e y s H is w ay w as th rou gh

.

a m o u ntai n ou s c o u n t ry w ith m a n y cro s s path s a n d b y w ay s

,
- -
,

s o th at i t w as d i f cu l t for a s tran ger l i ke M orty to tra vel

w ith o ut a gu i de H e w as a n x io u s to reach h is de s ti natio n
.
,

an d exerted h i m s el f to d o so ; b u t the f o g gre w th i c ke r an d

t hi cker a nd at l a s t h e b ec a m e d o u btfu l if t h e tra c k h e w as
,

i n led t o th e b le s s e d cha pe l o f S ai n t G o b n ate B u t s eei n g a .

l i gh t w h i c h b e i m agi n e d n o t to b e far O ff h e w e n t to w ard s ,

i t an d w h e n h e th o u gh t h i m s elf c l o s e t o i t t h e l i g h t s u dd en ly
, ,

see m ed at a great d i s ta n ce t w i n kl i n g d i m ly t h ro u gh th e
,

fo g Th ough M orty fel t s o m e s u rpr i s e at th i s h e w as n o t

.
,

d i s h e a rt e n e d fo r h e tho u gh t th at i t w as a l i gh t s e n t by the
,

h oly S ai n t Go b n ate to gu id e h is feet th ro u gh th e m o u ntai n s

t o h e r ch a p e l .

A n d th u s d i d h e travel for m a n y a m ile co n ti n u ally as , ,

h e b e l i e ved a p proach i n g th e l i g h t w h i ch w o u l d s u dd e nl y
, ,

s tart O ff to a gr e at d i s tan ce A t l e n gt h h e ca m e s o c l o s e
.

as t o p ercei v e t h at th e l i gh t ca m e f ro m a r e : s eated be s i d e
w h i c h h e plai nly s aw an O l d w o m a n ; th e n i nd e e d h i s , ,

faith w as a l i ttle s h aken a n d m u ch d i d h e w o nd e r t h at both

,

th e r e a n d th e O l d w o m a n s h o u l d tra v e l b e fore h im s o ,

m a n y w eary m i le s a n d o v e r s u ch u ne ve n road s
,
.

I n th e h oly n a m e s o f th e pi o u s G o b a a n d o f her
n te ,

p r ece p tor S ai n t A b ba n sai d M o rty h o w ca n t h at b u r n

, ,

i n g r e m o v e o n so fa s t before m e a nd w ho ca n t h at o l d ,

w o m a n b e s i t ti n g besid e th e m o v i n g r e ?

T hese w or d s h ad n o s oon e r p a ssed M orty s l ip s tha n he

 THE S P IRIT H O R S E . 1 03

fou nd h i m sel f w ith ou t tak i n g an other ste p cl ose to th i s

, ,

w onder f u l re besid e w h i ch the o ld w o m an w as sitti n g

,

m u n ch i n g h er s u p per W i th every w ag o f th e o ld w o
.

m a n s j aw h er eyes w o ul d roll ercel y U po n M orty as i f

,

s h e w as an gry at be in g d i st u rbed ; a n d h e s aw w ith m ore

aston i sh m en t t h an ever that her eyes w ere neith er black ,

n o r bl ue n or gray n or h azel l ike t he h u m a n e y e
, , ,b ut o f a ,

w i l d red col o u r l i ke the eye o f a ferret If be fore h e

, .

W ondered at th e re m u ch greater w as h i s w o nder at th e

,

o l d w o m an s appearan ce ; an d sto u t hearted as h e w as h e

-
,

coul d n ot b u t loo k U p o n h er w it h fear j u d gi n g an d j u d g ,

i n g ri ghtly th at i t w as f o r n o goo d p u r p ose her suppi n g

,

i n so u n freq uen ted a p l ace a n d at s o l ate a n h ou r for i t , ,

w as near m i d n i ht
g S he sai d. n ot o n e w ord b u t m u n ch e d ,

an d m u n ched a w ay w h il e M ort y looked at h er i n sil en ce

, .

Wh at s y o u r n a m e ? at last de m an ded th e o l d hag a

,

sul ph u reo u s p u ff co m i n g o u t o f her m o u th her n ostril s d is ,

te nd i n g an d h er eyes gro w i n g redder th a n ever, w he n s he

,

h ad n ished her q u esti o n .

-Pl u ck i n g u p al l h i s cou r age lVTo r ty S u ll i van

re p l ied
, ,

h e at your serv ice ; m ean i n g th e l atter w o r d s o n ly i n

c i vi l ity .

Ub b u b b o ! sai d the ol d w o m an w e l l soo n see that

; ,

an d the r e d re o f her eyes tu rne d i nto a p al e gree n colo u r .

B ol d an d f earless as M ort y w as y et m u ch d id he tre m bl e ,

at heari n g th is d rea d f u l e x cla m ati o n : h e w o u l d h ave f al len

d o w n o n h i s k nees an d p ra y ed to S ai n t Go b n at e o r a n y ,

other sai nt for h e w as n o t p artic u l ar ; b u t h e w as so petri

,
a

e d w i t h h orror th at he co u ld n ot m o ve i n th e sl igh test

,

w ay m u ch less go d o w n o n h is k ne e s
,
.

Ta k e h ol d o f m
y h an d M ort y sai d th e o l d w o m an :
, ,
I ll
i ve o u a h orse to ride th at w i l l soo n carry o u to
g y y

y o u r o u r n e y s end
j

S o s ay i n g sh e led the w a
.
y the re , ,

g oi n g b e f ore the m ;
i t i s be y o n d m ortal k n o w le d ge to sa y

h o w b u t o n i t w en t shoot i n g o u t bri ght to n g u es o f a m e

, , ,

a nd i ckeri n g e rcely .

P resentl y th e y ca m e to a natural cavern i n th e sid e o f

th e m ou ntai n a nd the o ld h ag cal led al o u d i n a m ost d is
,

cord ant voi ce f o r h er h ors e ! I n a m o m en t a jet b lac k -

s teed started f ro m i ts gloo m y stabl e th e ro c k y fl oor ,

w hereof r un g w it h a sepulch ral ech o to t h e cl an g i n g h oofs .

1 04 THE S P IRIT H O R S E .

M ou nt , M orty , m ou n t ! cried s he , se iz i n g hi m w i t h
super natu ral stre n gth a n d forci n g h i m u po n the back o f
,

th e h orse M o rty n d i ng h u m a n po w er o f n o avail m u t

.
,
O th at I h ad S u rs ! an d tried to gras th e h orse s
te r e d, p p
m a n e ; b ut h e ca u gh t at a sh ado w ; i t neve rtheless bore h i m
U p an d bou n de d for w ard w i th h i m n o w spri n gi n g d o w n a
,

fear f ul precipi ce n o w cleari n g the r u gged bed o f a torren t

, ,

an d r u sh i n g l ike th e dark m i d n i gh t stor m th r o u g h t he

m o u n tain s .

T h e fol l o w i n g m or n i n g M orty S ul l iva n w as d i sc o vered

by s o m e p i l gri m s (w h o ca m e th at w ay aft er tak i n g the i r
r o u nd s at Go n gan e B arra ) l y i n g o n the at o f h is back ,

u n d e r a s tee c l i d o w n w h i c h he h ad bee n u n g by the

p ,

P h ooka M orty w as s e verel y br u i sed by th e f al l an d h e

.
,

i s said to h ave s w or n o n th e s p ot by th e h a n d of O s ul li va n

,

( a n d th at i s n o s m al l n ever agai n t o take a ful l qu art

bo ttl e o f W h i sky w i th h im o n a p i lgr i m age .

* N
3 u ll a m an u s .

l T am lib e r al is
!
A t q u e g e n e r ali s
A t qu e u n ive r s ali s

Q u am S ulliv an is .
 1 05

D AN I E L O

R OU RKE .

XV .

PE O P L E m ay h ave h eard o f th e ren o w ned ad ve ntures o f

Dan iel O R o u r k e b ut h o w f e w are there w h o k no w that

,

th e ca u se o f al l h i s peril s above an d bel o w w as ne ither , ,

m ore n or less than h i s h avi n g sle p t u n der th e w al ls O f th e

P ho o k a s to w er !

I k n e w th e m an w el l ; h e l i ved at th e
botto m o f H u n gry H i ll j u st at th e ri gh t h an d si d e o f th e
,

roa d as y o u go to w a r d s Bantry A n ol d m an w as h e at .

t h e ti m e that h e tol d m e the stor y w i th gra y h ai r an d a , ,

r e d n ose ; an d i t w as o n the 2 5 th o f J u n e 1 8 1 3 th at I h eard , ,

i t fro m h i s o w n l i p s as h e s at s m ok i n g h i s p i p e u n d er th e
,

o ld o l ar tree o n as n e a n eve n i n g as e ver sh o ne fro m

p p ,

th e s ky I w as goi n g to v i si t t h e cav e s i n D u r s e y I sland ,

'

h avi n g spe n t th e m orn i n g at G le n gar i

'

I am o f te n ax e d to tel l i t sir sai d h e s o that th is i s , , ,

n o t th e rst ti m e T he m aster s s o n y o u see h ad co m e

.
, ,

fro m b e y o n d f orei gn p arts i n F rance an d S p ai n as y o u n g ,

gen tle m en u sed to go b efore B ona p arte o r an y such w as ,

h eard o f ; an d sure en ou gh there w as a d i n ner gi ven to al l

th e p eo p l e o n th e gro u n d gentl e and s i m p l e h i gh an d l o w
, , ,

r i ch an d poor T he o u ld gen tle m en w ere th e gentl e m e n

.
,

after al l savi n g yo ur h on our s presen ce

, T h ey d s w ear at
.

a body a l ittle to be sure an d m ay b e gi ve o n e a c u t o f a

, , ,

w hi n o w an d th en b u t w e w ere n o l osers by i t i n th e en d
p , ;
-
an d they w ere so easy an d c iv i l an d kept su ch rattl i ng ,

h ouses an d th ousand s o f w el co m es ; an d th ere w as n o

W
,

gri n d i n g for ren t an d fe w age nts ; an d there w as h ar d ly a

,

tenan t o n th e estate that d id n ot taste o f h i s l and l ord s bou n

t y o f ten an d O f ten i n th e year ; b u t n o w i t s an other th i n g :

n o m atter f o r that s i r ; for I d better be t el l i ng ou m story

, y y .

Wel l w e had every th i n g o f th e best an d p le nty o f i t ;
, ,

an d w e ate a nd w e d ra nk and w e d a n ced a n d th e yo u n g

, , ,

m aster by th e sa m e token dan ced w i th Peggy Barr y f ro m

th e Bohereen a l ovely yo u n g co u p l e they w ere th o u gh
,

they are b oth l o w en o u gh n o w To m ak e a l on g story .

s h o r t I g o t as a body m a sa th e sa m e th i n g as ti p sy
, , y y ,

a l m ost ; f o r I ca n t re m e m ber ever at al l n o w a y s h o w i t

, ,

w as I l eft the pl ace : o n ly I d i d l eave i t th at s ce tai n
r , .

e l l I thou gh t for al l t hat i n m ysel f I d j ust step to

, , , ,

1 06 DA N IE L o B

O U R KE .

M ol l y C r o n o h an th e f airy w o m an t o Speak a w ord abou t

s, ,

th e bracket h ei fer th at w as be w itch ed ; and s o as I w as

crossi n g the ste p p i n g sto nes o f th e f ord of B ally as h e e n o u gh
-

an d w as l ook i n g u p at the stars an d blessi n g m ysel ffo r

,

w h ? i t w as Lady d ay I m issed m f oot an d souse I fel l

y y
-
,
i nto th e w ater Death al ive ! though t I I l l be d ro w n ed
.

,

no w !

Ho w ever I bega n s w i m m i n g s w i m m i n g s w i m
, , ,

m i n g a w ay fo r th e dear l i fe t i l l at l ast I go t ash ore so m e , ,

h o w o r oth er bu t n ever th e o n e o f m e c an tel l h o w U po n

, ,
a d is s o lu te i sl an d .

I w an dered an d w an dere d ab o ut th ere w i th out k n o w ,

i n g w here I w an dered u n ti l at l ast I got i n to a bi g b o g , .

The m oo n w as sh i n i n g as brigh t as day o r yo u r fai r l ad y s ,

e ye s s ir w i th your pard o n for m en tio n i n g h er an d I

, ( , ) ,

l o o ked eas t an d w est an d n ort h a n d so u th an d every w ay ,

, ,
an d n oth i n g d i d I s e e b u t bog b o bog I cou l d neve r
g ; , ,

n d o u t h o w I go t i n to i t ; a n d m y h eart gre w cold w ith

f ear for su re an d c erta i n I w as th at i t w ou l d b e m y b er r in
,

pl ace So I s at d o w n upo n a sto n e w h i ch as go od l u ck

.
,
w ou l d h ave i t w as cl ose by m e an d I bega n to scratc h m
, y ,

h ead a n d s i n g th e Ul lag o n e w he n al l o f a s u dd en th e m oo n
gre w black an d I l ook ed u p an d s aw so m eth i n g for all th e
.

, ,

w orl d as i f i t w as m ovi n g d o w n bet w ee n m e an d i t an d I ,

cou l d n ot tel l w h at i t w as D o w n i t c am e w ith a pou n ce .

'

an d l ooked at m e ful l i n the face ; an d w h at w as i t bu t a n

e agl e ? as n e a o n e as ever e w fro m the k i n g d o m o f K erry .

SO h e l ooked at m e i n t h e face an d says h e to m e , ,

D an i el O R o ur k e says b e h o w d o y o u d o ?

,

V ery ,

W el l I th a nk y o u , s ir sa y s I : I h o p e you re w el l ; w o n
, ,

deri n g o u t o f m y sen ses al l the ti m e h o w a n eagle ca m e to

s peak l i ke a C hr i stian What bri n gs y o u h ere Dan ? says
.
,

he . Noth i n g at al l s ir says I : on ly I w ish I w as safe

, ,
'

h o m e agai n Is i t o u t o f th e Isl and y o u w an t to go D an ?

.

,

s ays h e Ti s , s ir says I : s o 1 U p an d told him h o w I h ad

.

,

take n a drop t o o m u ch an d fel l i n to th e w ater ; h o w I s w a m

t o th e Isl an d ; an d h o w I go t i n to the bog an d d i d n o t k n o w ,

m y w ay o u t o f it D an says h e a f ter a m i n u te s th o u gh t

. .
, , ,

th ough i t i s very i m proper for y o u to get dru n k o n Lady

d ay yet as y o u are a dece n t sober m an w h o tends m a s s

, , .

w ell an d n ever in s sto nes at m e n o r m i ne , n or cr ies ou t

, g
a f ter u s i n th e e ld s m y li fe for yours says h e ; s o get ,

f r fear you d fal l o ff an d

u
p on m
y back ,
and gr i p m e w el l o ,
 DA NI E L
o H O U n KE . 1 07

I ll

y you o u t of th e bog I am afra i d says I you r .

,

,

honou r s m aki n g g am e o f m e ; for w h o ever h eard o f rid i n g

a h orseback o n a n eagl e be fore ? " Po n th e h onou r o f a

ge ntle m an says h e pu tti n g h i s ri gh t f oot o n h is breast I
,

, ,

am q u ite i n earn est ; a nd so n o w either take m y o ffe r o r

starve i n the b o g be s i d es I s e e that you r w ei gh t i s si n k ,

i ng the sto n e .

I t w as tru e en ou gh as h e said fo r I fo u nd th e sto ne ,

every m i n ute goi n g f ro m u n der m e I h ad n o ch oi ce ; so .

th i n ks I to m y sel f f ai nt heart neve r w o n fai r l ad y an d th i s

, ,

is fai r p e r s u ad an c e : I th an k y o u r h on o u r say s I f o r t h e ,

,

loa n o f yo u r ci vi l i ty ; a n d I l l take y o u r k i nd o e r I
.

therefore m o un ted U p o n th e back of th e ea gl e an d hel d ,

h i m ti gh t en ou gh by the th roat and u p h e e w i n th e ai r ,

l ike a lark Littl e I k ne w th e t rick h e w as goi n g to serve

U p u p U p I k n o w n ot h o w f ar U p h e e w
.

me . .

Wh y th en said I to hi m th i n k i n g h e d i d n ot k n o w

the ri gh t road h o m e very c ivi ll y beca u se w h y ? 1 w as

, , ,

,

i n h is po w er e ntirely s ir says I pl ease yo u r h ono u r s

W

, ,

glory an d w i th h u m ble su b m i ssi o n to yo u r b etter j u d g

,

m ent i f y o u d y d o w n a b it y o u re n o w j ust o v er m y

, ,

ca b i n an d I coul d p u t d o w n there , an d m any th an ks to

,

you r w orsh i p .

r m h Dan sai d h e d o y o u th i n k m e a foo l ? Loo k

, , ,

d o w n i n th e n ext eld an d d o n t yo u see t w o m e n an d a ,

gu n ? B y m y w ord i t w o u l d be n o joke to be sh ot th is
o of a
'

w ay to o b l i ge a dr u nken black g u ard that I i cked u

, p p
co w ld stone i n a bog B other y o u sai d 1 to m y sel f b u t I .

,

,

d id n ot s p eak o u t f o r w here w as th e u s e ? ,e l l si r u p , ,

h e ke p t y i ng y i n g an d I aski n g h i m ever y m i n u te t o
, , ,

y d o w n an d all to n o u s e
, h ere i n the w orl d are y o u .

g oi n g sir ?
, sa y s I to h i

m H ol d y o u r tong u e Dan says .
, ,

h e : m i n d y o u r o w n b u si ness an d d o n t b e i n ter f eri n g w it h

,

th e b u si ness o f other p eo p le F aith th is i s m y b u si ness .

, ,

I th i nk says I ,

Be q u iet Dan sa y s h e : s o I sai d n o
.

, ,

m ore .

A t l ast w h ere sh oul d w e co m e to b u t to th e m oo n
, ,

itsel f N o w y ou can t see i t f ro m thi s b u t th ere i s o r

.

, ,

there w as i n m y ti m e a r e ap in g h o o k sti c k i n g o u t o f the ,

~

s ide O f the m oon th i s w ay (d ra w i n g the g u re th u s

o n the grou n d w i th the e n d o f h i s sti ck
,
0 ,

) .

sai d t h e e agl e I m ti red w ith th i s l on g y ; ,

1 08 D AN I E L
O H O U HK E .

I h ad n ot i o n t w as s o far
no A n d m y l ord s ir sa i d I

w h o i n t he w orl d ax e d y o u to y s o far w as i t I ? d i d
.
, , ,

no t I beg an d ray an d beseech y o u to stop h al f an h ou r

p , ,

a o
g
?
There s n o u s e tal k i n g D an

sa i d h e ; I m tire d , ,

bad en o u gh s o y o u m u st get O ff an d s it d o w n o n th e m oo n
, ,

u n til I rest m ysel f Is i t s it d o w n o n th e m oo n ? sai d I ;

.

i s i t U p o n that l ittl e rou n d th i n g th e n ? w hy then s ure , , ,

I d f al l o ff i n a m i n ute a n d be hil t a n d Sp l it a n d s m ashe d

al l to bi ts : y o u are a v i le d ece i ver s o y o u are

, ,

Not at ,
.

al l Dan sai d h e : yo u ca n catch fast h ol d o f th e reapi n g

, ,

h ook that s stic k i n g o u t o f th e s id e of th e m oo n an d t w il l

,

k eep y o u u p .

I w o n t th en sai d I
M ay be n ot
, ,

.

,

said b e q u i te q u i et
, I f y ou d o n t m y m an I sh al l j u st
.

, ,

g i ve y o u a s hake an d o n e slap of m
y
,
w i n g an d s e n d
y o u ,

d o w n to th e gro u nd w here every b o ne i n you r body w il l ,

be s m as h ed as s m al l as a d rop o f d e w o n a cabbage l ea f i n -

th e mo rn i n g Wh y the n I m i n a n e w ay said I to
.

, ,

,

m ysel f ever to h ave co m e al o n g w i th th e l ikes o f y o u ;

,

a n d s o gi vi n g hi m a h eart y cu rse i n Irish for f ear h e d ,

k n o w w h at I sa i d I got o ff h i s back w i th a heavy h eart

, ,

took a h ol d o f th e reap i n g h ook a nd s at d o w n u po n th e ,

m o on ; an d a m igh ty col d seat i t w as I c an tel l yo u th at , .

Wh e n h e h ad m e there fairly l a n d ed h e tu rned abou t ,

o n m e an d said G ood m orn i n g to you Da n iel O R o u r k e

, , , ,

sai d h e : I th i n k I v e n i cked y o u fairly no w

You ro bb e d .

m y nest l ast year ( t w as tr u e e n ough f o r him bu t h o w h e

, ,

fo u n d i t o u t i s h ard to s ay ) a n d i n retu rn y o u are f reel y ,

w el co m e to cool you r h eel s d an gl i n g U po n th e m o o n l ike

a c o c k t hr o w .

Is th at all a n d i s th is th e w ay y o u leave m e y o u brute

, , ,

y o u? sa
y s I Yo u u l y u n natu ral b as te a n d i s th is th e
g .

,

w a o u serve m e at last ? Bad l u ck t o o u rself w i th you r

yy y ,

h ooked n ose an d to all y o ur b r e e d , y o u black g u ard

,
T w as .

al l to n o m an ner O f use : h e s p rea d o u t h i s great bi g w i n gs ,

b u rst o u t a la u g h i n g an d e w a w ay l i ke l i gh tn i n g I , .

b a w led a fter h i m to sto p ; b u t I m i gh t h ave cal le d an d

b a w led f o r e ve r w it h o u t h i s m i n d i n g m e
,
A w ay h e w e n t .
,

an d I n e ver s aw h i m f ro m th at d ay to th is sorro w y
a w ay w ith h i m ! Y o u m ay be s u re I w as i n a d isco nsol at e
co nd i ti o n a n d kept roar i n g o u t fo r t he b are grie f w he n all
, ,

at o n ce a d oor ope ned ri h t i n the m i d d le o f th e m oo n

g ,

cr e ak i ng o n its h i n ges as if i t h ad n o t bee n ope ned f o a r

 DA N I E L
O HOUHK E . 1 09

m onth before I su ppose t h ey n ever th o u g h t o f greas i n g

.

e m a n d o u t th ere w al ks w h o do you th i n k b u t the m an

i n th e m oo n h i m sel f ? I k ne w h i m by h i s b u sh .

Good m orro w to y o u Dan iel O R o u r k e sai d b e :

,

,

Ho w d o y o u d o ? V ery w ell th an k y o u r h o n ou r sai d

, ,

I . I hO p e y o u r h o no u r s w ell

Wh at bro u gh t y o u
.

h ere Dan ? sai d he

,

S o I tol d hi m h o w I w as a l ittl e .

overtake n i n l i q u o r at th e m aster s an d h o w I w as cast o n ,

a d is s o lu te i slan d an d h o w I l ost m y w ay i n t h e ho g an d
, ,

ho w the th ie f o f an eagl e p ro m i sed t o y m e o u t o f it an d ,

h o w i nstea d O f th at h e h ad e w m e u p to the m oo n .

sai d t he m an i n th e m oo n tak i n g a pi n ch o f ,

s n u ff w hen I was d on e you m u st n ot sta y he re I ndeed , .

,

sir sa y s I tis m u ch agai n st m y w i l l I m h ere at al l ; b u t:

,

,

h o w am I to go b ack ? Th at s you r b u si ness sai d h e

, ,

Da n : m i n e i s to tel l y o u that h ere y o u m u st n ot sta y ; s o be

o ff i n l ess than n o ti m e I m do i n g n o h ar m sa y s I .

,

,

o n ly h old i n g o n har d b y th e re ap i n g h ook lest I f al l o -

, .

T h at s w hat y o u m u st n ot d o D an says h e

Pray sir , ,

.
, ,

sa y s I m ay I as k h o w m an y y o u are i n fa m i ly th at y o u
, ,

w o u ld not g i ve a oor travel ler l o gi n g s u re tis n ot

p d : I m

so ofte n yo u re tro u ble d w ith s t ran gers co m i n g to s e e you

,

f o r ti s a l o n g w ay

I m b y m y sel f Dan sa y s h e ; .

bu t
, ,

yo u d better l et go th e re ap i n g h ook

Ind w it h -
.

y ou r l eave says I I l l n o
,
t
let go th e gri p ,

,

y o u bi d s m e the m ore I w o n t ,
let g o s o I w i ll You
.

h ad better D an says h e a gai n Why then m y l i ttle

.
, , , ,

fell o w sa y s I taki n g th e w h ol e w ei gh t o f h im w i th m y
,

,

e y e fro m head to f oot there are t w o w ords to th at b argai n ,

,

a n d I l l n ot b u d ge b u t y o u m ay if y o u l i ke

,
We ll s e e .

h o w that i s to be sa y s he ; a n d back h e w e ht gi v i n g th e

, ,

d oor s u ch a g reat ba n g a fter h im (f o r i t w as p lai n he w as

b u ff e d ) that I tho u gh t th e m oo n a nd al l w o u l d f al l d o w n
,

w ith i t .

Well I w as p re p ari n g mysel f to try stre n gth w i th h im

, ,

w he n back a ai n h e co m es w ith th e ki tche n cleaver i n h is

g ,

h a n d an d w it h o u t sa y i n g a w ord h e gi ves t w o ban gs to

, ,

th e h an d le o f th e rea p i n g h ook t hat w as kee p i n g m e u p -

,

a nd w hap ! it ca m e i n t w o Good m o r n i n g to y o u Dan .
, ,

sa y s the s p itefu l l i ttl e Ol d bl ackg u ard w he n h e s aw m e ,

cl e an ly fal l i n g d o w n w i th a b i t of t h e h a n d le i n my h an d :
10
1 10 D ANIE L O R OU R
K E .

I t h an k y o u f o r you r v i sit, an d fa i r w eath e r after y o u,

D an iel I h ad n ot ti m e t o m ake an y an s w er to him f o r
.

,

I w as tu m b l i n g Over an d o ver an d rol l i n g an d rol l i n g at ,

th e rate o f a f o x h u nt N o w h el p m e say s I bu t th i s
-
.
,

,

i s a pretty p i ckl e for a dece n t m an to be see n i n at th i s

ti m e o f n i gh t ; I am n o w sol d fai rl y Th e w ord w as n o t .

o u t o f m y m o u th w h e n w h i z ! w h at sh oul d y by cl ose t o
,

m y ear b u t a oc k o f w i l d geese ; al l th e w ay f ro m m y o w n
b og o f B ally as h e e n o u gh else h o w sh oul d they k n o w me ? ,

T h e o u ld gan de r w h o w as th e i r gen eral tu rn i n g abou t h is

, ,

h ead cr ied o u t to m e Is th at y o u Dan ?
,
Th e sa m e ,

,

,

said I n ot a bi t d au n ted n o w at w h at h e said f o r I w as by

, ,

th i s ti m e u sed to al l k i n d s o f b e d e vi lme n t a nd bes ides I , , ,

k ne w h i m o f o u ld Goo d m orro w to y o u says h e .

,

,

D an i el O R o u r k e : h o w are y o u i n h eal th th i s m orn i n g ?

V er y w el l s ir says I I th an k y o u k i n d l y d ra w i n g m y
, ,

,

,

breath for I w as m i gh tily i n w an t o f so m e

,
I hOpe y o u r .

h o n o u r s th e sa m e
I th i n k ti s fal l i n g y o u are Dan iel
.

, ,

say s b e Y o u m ay say th at s ir sa y s I
.

A n d w h ere are , ,

.

yo u go i n g all th e w ay s o f ast ? sai d th e gan der SO I tol d .

h i m h o w I h ad tak e n th e d rop an d b o w l ca m e o n t he ,

i sl an d an d b o w l l ost m y w ay i n th e b og an d h o w th e
, ,

th ief o f a n eagl e e w m e u p to th e m oo n , a nd h o w th e m an
i n th e m oo n turn ed m e o u t D an sai d h e I l l save you : .
,

,

u t o u t you r h an d a n d catc h m e by th e leg an d I l l y

p ,

y o u h o me S w eet i s yo u r h an d i n a pi tcher o f h on ey
.

,

m y je w el says I th o u gh al l th e ti m e I th ought i n m ysel f

,

,

that I d o n t m u c h tr u st y o u ; b u t there w as n o h el p s o I

,

ca u gh t the g an d er b y th e leg an d aw ay I an d th e other ,

geese e w a f ter h i m as fast as h o p s .

We w
e an d w e e w a nd w e e w u n til w e ca m e ri gh t
, , ,

over th e w i d e o cea n I k n e w i t w el l fo r I s aw C ap e C lear .

,

to m y ri gh t han d st i ck i n g u p o u t o f th e w a t er , A h ! my .

l ord sai d I to the goose f o r I th o u gh t i t best to keep a

,

,

c iv i l tongu e i n m y h ead an y w ay y to la n d if y o u pl ease , .

I t i s i m p ossi ble y o u s e e Da n sai d b e for a w h i le b e

, , , ,

,

ca u se y o u s e e w e are goi n g to A rab ia To A rabi a ! said .

I ; th at s s u rely so m e p lace i n forei g n parts f ar a w ay

, .

O h ! M r G oose : w hy the n to be su re I m a m an to b e
.
,

p i tied a m o n g y o u
Wh i st W h i st you fool said h e h ol d
.
, , ,

,

yo u r to n gue ; I tel l y o u A rabi a i s a very dece n t sort o f plac e ,

 D ANIE L
O H O U R KE . l 1 l

as l i ke West Carbery as o n e egg i s l i ke a n ot h er, o n l y t h ere

i s a l ittl e m ore san d th ere .

J u st as w e w ere talki n g a sh i p h ove i n sight sc u dd i n g , ,

s o bea u ti f u l b efore th e w i nd : A h ! th en s i r sai d I w i l l

, , ,

o u d ro m th e sh i i f you l ease ? We are f ai r

y p e o n
p p ,
n o t
o ver i t sai d b e ,

We are said I We are n ot sai d
.

,

.
,

h e : If I dro p p ed y o u n o w y o u w o u l d go Sp l ash i n to th e

se a . I w o u l d n o t says I : I k no w better th an th at, f o r

,

i t s j u st clea n u nder u s s o l et m e drop n o w at o n ce

,
.

I f you m u st you m ust sai d b e ,
There take yo u r
,

,

o w n w a ; an d he O pe ned h i s cl a w i

y an d ndeed h e w as ri gh t
sure e n ough I ca m e d o w n pl u m p i n to th e v ery botto m
,

o f th e sal t s e a ! D o w n to th e very botto m I w ent an d I ,

gave m ysel f U p th e n for ever w h e n a w h ale w al ked U p to ,

m e scratch i n g h i m sel f after h i s n i gh t s sl ee p an d l ooke d

,

,

m e fu l l i n t h e face an d n ever th e w ord d id h e s ay bu t

, ,

l i fti n g U p h i s tai l h e spl ash ed m e all o ver agai n w i t h the

,

co l d sal t w ater til l th ere w asn t a d r y stitc h u p o n m y w h ol e

carcass ; a n d I hear d so m ebo d y sa y i n g t w as a v o ice I

,

k n e w too Get U p y o u d ru n ke n b rute o ff o f th at ; an d

, ,

.

w i th that I w oke U p an d there w as J ud y w ith a tu b f u l l

,

o f w ater w h i ch s h e w as splash i n g al l o ver m e f o r rest

, ,

h er so ul ! th ou gh s h e w as a good w i fe s he never coul d bear ,

t o s e e m e i n dr i nk an d h ad a b i tter han d o f h er o w n
, .

Get U p sai d s h e aga i n : an d o f all places i n th e p a
,

r i sh , w oul d n o pl ace s ar v e you r turn t o l i e d o w n U po n bu t

u n der th e o u ld w al l s o f C ar r i gap h o o k a? a n u n easy resti n g

I am sure y o u h ad o f i t A n d sure e n ou gh I h ad ; f o r I
.

w as fa i rly both ered o u t o f m y senses w ith eagles an d m e n ,

o f th e m oo n a n d y i n g gan ders an d w h ales dri v i n g m e

, , ,

th rou gh b ogs an d U p t o the m oon an d d o w n to the botto m

, ,

o f th e gree n ocean If I w as i n d ri n k te n ti m es o ver l on g

.
,

w ou l d i t b e before I d l i e d o w n o n t h e s a m e s pot aga i n ; 1

k n o w th at .
 112

T HE C RO O KE N E D BA CK .

XV I .

P E GG Y B A RR E T o n ce tal l , w el l sh ape d and co me l y

T w as , .

She w as i n h er youth re m ark abl e f o r t w o q u al i t i es n o t ,

o fte n fou n d together o f bei n g th e m o st th ri ft y h o u se w i fe

, ,

an d th e best d an cer i n h er n ati ve V il lage o f B ally ho o l e y .

B u t s he i s n o w u p w ar d s o f s ixty years O ld ; an d d u r i n g th e
l ast ten years of her l i fe s h e h as never bee n able to stan d u p
,
r i gh t
. H er bac k i s ben t n earl y to a l evel ; yet s he h as th e
freest u s e o f al l h er l i m bs that c an be enj oye d i n su ch a p o s n

ture ; h er h eal th is good a n d he r m i n d v i gorou s ; and i n th e

, ,

fa m i l y o f h er el dest s o n w i th w h o m s h e has l i ved si n ce th e

,

d eath o f her h usban d she p er f o r m s al l th e d o m esti c servi ces

,

w h ic h her a e , an d t he i n r m i ty
g j u s t m en tio n ed al l o w ,
.

S h e w ashes t h e potatoes m akes t he re s w eeps th e h o u se

, ,

labou r s i n w h i c h s h e good h u m o u r e d l says s h e n d s

( -
y
h er crooked back m i gh ty pl ays w i th t h e
c h ildre n a n d tel ls s tor ies to th e fa m il y an d the i r n ei gh
, .

b o u r i n g fr i en ds w h o O fte n c o l lect rou n d h er so n s r e sid e

,

-

t o h ear t h e m d u r i n g th e l o n g w i n ter e ve n i n gs H er .

po w ers o f co n versati o n are h i gh ly extol led both f o r h u m ou r ,

an d i n n arrat i on ; an d anecdotes o f drol l , a w k w ard i n c id en ts ,

c o n n ected w ith th e ost u re i n w h ic h s h e h as bee n so l o n g

p
xed as w el l as th e h i story o f the occ urre n c e to w h i ch
,

s h e o w es th at mi s f ortu ne are favo ur ite topi cs of h er d i s

,

c ourse . A m o n g other m atters sh e i s fo n d o f rel ati n g h o w

, ,

o n a certai n d ay at the close o f a b ad h ar vest w h en several ,

ten an ts o f the estate o n w h i ch she l i ved co ncerted i n a eld

a petiti o n f o r a n abate m en t o f ren t th ey pl aced th e pa p er
,

o n w h ic h th ey w rote u po n her back w h i ch w as f ou n d n o,

ver y i n con ve n ie nt s u bsti t u te for a ta b l e .

Peggy l ike al l ex p erie n ced story tel lers s u i ted h er tal es

,
-
, ,

both i n l en gth an d s u bject to th e au d ie n ce a n d the occas ion

,
.

S he k ne w that i n broa d d a y l igh t w h e n the s u n sh i nes

, ,

bri gh tly , an d the tree s are bud d i n g a n d th e b i rd s s i n gi n g

,
 TH E C R OOKE N E D B A C K. 11 3
arou n d u s w h en m e n an d w o m en l i ke o u rsel v e s are
, , ,

m ov i n g an d s peaki n g e m p l oyed vari o u sly i n b u si ness o r

,

a m u se m e n t ; s h e k ne w i n short (th o u gh certai nly w ith o u t

,

k n o w i n g o r m u c h cari n g w herefore ) th at w h e n w e are ,

en gage d abo u t th e real i ties o f l i fe an d n at u re w e w a n t th at ,

s p iri t o f cred u l it y w i th o u t w h ich tales o f th e d ee p est i n

,

t e r e s t w il l l ose their p o w er A t s u c h ti m es Pe gg y w as
.

brie f very parti c u l ar as to f acts an d n ever d e al t i n th e

, ,

m arvel l o u s B u t ro u n d th e b lazi n g h earth o f a C h rist m as

.

even i n g w he n i n d el ity i s ba n ished f ro m al l co m pan ies

, ,

at least i n l o w an d s i m p le l i fe as a q u al i ty to sa y th e least, ,

o f i t o u t o f se ason ; w he n th e w i n d s O f

,

dark Dece m ber
w h is t le d bl e akly ro u n d th e w al ls an d al m ost thro u gh th e ,

doors o f th e l i ttle m an si on re m i n d i n g its i n m ates that as

, ,

the w orld i s vexed b y ele m ents S u p erior to h u m an p o w er ,

so i t ma be vi site d by bei n gs f a S u eri or n at u r e z at

y o
p
such ti m es w o u l d Pe g g y Barrett gi ve f u ll scope to h er
m e m ory o r h er i m a g i nati on o r both ; an d U p o n o n e o f th ese
, ,

occasi o n s s he gave th e f ol l o w i n g c ircu m stantial acco un t o f

,

th e cr o o
k e n i n g o f h e r back .

I t w as o f al l d a y s n th e y ear th e day before M ay day

i
-
, , ,

th at 1 w e n t o u t to t h gar d e n to w ee d th e pota toes I .

w o u l d n ot h ave o n e t th at d a b u t I w as d u l l i n m
g o u
y y ,

sel f an d sorro w f u l an d w ante d to be al on e ; al l th e bo y s

, ,

an d g i rl s w ere l a u gh i n g a n d j ok i n g i n th e h o u se m aki n g ,

goal i n g balls an d d ressi n g o u t ri b a nd s f o r the m u m m ers

-

n ex t d a I co u l d n t b ear i t T w as on l y at th e E aster

y .

th at w as the n past (and that s te n years last E aster l w o n t

.

forget th e ti m e ) that I buried m y poor m an ; an d I th o u gh t

,

h o w gay a nd j oy f u l I w as m any a l o n g y ear be f ore that

, ,

at th e M ay eve be f ore o u r w ed d i n g w he n w i th Robi n by

-
,

m y si de I s at c u tti n g an d se w i n g the ri bands for the goal

,

i ng bal l I w as to gi ve th e bo y s o n th e n e x t d ay pro u d to
-
,

be p referred abo ve al l th e other g i rl s o f the ba nks o f th e

Black w ater by th e h an d so m est boy an d th e best h urler i n
,

th e vi l lage ; so I le f t the h o u se an d w e n t to th e garden I .

stai d there al l the d ay an d d i d n t co m e h o m e to d i n ner

,

.

I do n t k n o w h o w i t w as bu t so m eho w I co nti nued o n ,

,

w eed i n g an d th i n ki n g sorro w fu l ly e n ou gh
,
an d s i n gi n g ,

o ver so m e o f th e o ld son gs th at I su n g m any a n d m any a

ti m e i n the days t h at are go n e , an d fo r th e m t h at n e v e r
"
l0
1 14 T H E C R OO K E N E D B A CK .

w iIl o m e back to m e to h ea r th e m Th e trut h i s I h at e d

c .
,

t o go an d si t s ile nt an d m o u r n f u l a m o n g th e p eo p l e i n the
h ou s e that w ere m erry an d y o u n g an d h ad th e best o f
, ,

thei r d ays be f ore the m T w as l ate befo r e I t h o u ght o f .

return i n g h o m e an d I d id n o t l e ave the garde n ti l l so m e

,

t i m e after su n set T h e m oo n w as u p ; b u t t h ou gh t h ere

.

w asn t a cl o ud to be see n an d t h o u gh a star w as w i n k i n g

,

h ere an d th ere i n th e s k y the d ay w as n t l on g e n o u gh go n e ,

t o h ave i t clear m oo nl i gh t ; sti l l i t sh o ne en o u gh to m ake

e very th i n g o n o n e s i d e o f th e h eave n s l oo k pal e and s il

very l ike ; an d th e th i n w h i te m i st w as j ust begi n n i n g to

-

cree p al o n g th e elds O n th e oth er s id e near w h ere th e

.
,

s u n w as set th ere w as m ore o f d a y l i gh t an d th e sky l o oke d

, ,

a n gry red an d ery throu g h th e trees l i ke as if i t w as

, , ,

l i g hte d u p by a great to w n b u rn i n g b el o w E very th i n g .

w as as si l en t as a ch u rchyard o n ly n o w an d the n o ne co ul d ,

h ear f ar o ff a d o g barki n g or a c o w l o w i n g a f ter bei n g ,

m i lked There w as n t a creat u re to be se e n o n th e ro ad

.

o r i n th e el d s I w o n dered at t h i s rst b u t the n I r e

.
,

m e m bered i t w as M ay e v e an d th at m a n y a th i n g both -
, ,

good a nd b ad w o u l d b e w an deri n g abo u t th at n i ght an d

, ,

that I ou gh t to s h u n dan ger as w el l as others S o I w al ke d .

o n as q u ick as I co u l d a nd soo n ca m e to th e e nd of t h e ,

de m es ne w al l w h ere the trees ri se h i g h an d th i ck at each

,

s i de o f th e road an d al m ost m eet at th e t o , p M y heart .

m i sgav e m e w h e n 1 got u nder th e sh ade Th ere w as s o .

m u ch l i gh t le t d o w n fro m th e open i n g above th at I c o ul d ,

s e e abou t a sto ne th ro w before m e A ll o f a sud d e n I

-
.

h eard a r u stl i n g a m on g the b ran ches o n th e ri gh t s ide o f ,

the road an d s aw so m eth i n g l ike a s m al l bl ack go at o nl y

, ,

w i th l on g w i de h orn s turn ed ou t i n stead o f be i n g be n t back

w ard s stan d i n g u po n i ts h i n d l egs U po n th e top o f the w al l

, ,

a n d l ook i n g d o w n o n m e M y b reath w as sto pp e d a n d I .

,

c oul d n t m o ve f o r n ear a m i n u te I co u l d n t h el p so m e

.

,

h o w k ee p i n g m y eyes xe d o n i t ; a n d i t never s t i rred bu t

, ,

kept l oo k i n g i n th e sa m e xed w ay d o w n at m e A t l ast .

I m ad e a rush a n d w e n t o n ; b u t I d i d n t go te n s te p s w he n
,

,

I s aw th e very sa m e si ght o n th e w al l to the l eft o f m e , ,

stan d i n g i n exactl y the sa m e m an n er b u t th re e o r f ou r ,

ti m es as h i gh an d al m os t as tal l as th e tal lest m an Th e

, .

ho r ns l ooked fri ghtful ; it gazed u p o n m e as be fore ; m y legs

 T H E C R OO KE N E D B A CK . 1 15

s h oo k an d my teet h ch attered an d I th ou gh t I w oul d drop

, ,

d o w n dead e very m o m ent A t last I fel t as i f I w as obl ige d

to go o u an d o n I w en t ; b u t i t w as w i tho u t feel i n g h o w I
.

m oved or w h ether m y legs carried m e

,
J u st as I p assed .

t h e spot w here th i s frigh t f u l th i n g w as stand i n g I h eard a ,

n o ise as i f so m eth i n g s p r u n g f ro m th e w al l an d fel t l ike as ,

i f a h eavy an i m al p l u m p ed d o w n U p on m e an d held w ith ,

th e fore feet cl i n gi n g to m y sh o u l d er an d th e h i n d o nes ,

xed i n m y go w n that w as f olded an d p i n ned U p b eh i nd

,

me . Ti s the w o nder o f m y l i fe ever si nce h o w I bore th e

sh ock ; b u t s o i t w as I ne ith er fel l n or even st aggered w i th

, ,

the w ei gh t b u t w al ked o n as if I h ad th e stre n gth of te n

,

m e n th o u gh I f el t as if I co u ld n t hel p m ov i n g an d co u ld n t

, ,

stan d sti l l i f I w ished i t Th o u g h I gas p e d w ith fe ar I

.
,

k n e w as w el l as I d o n o w w h at I w as d oi n g I tried to i
.

cry o u t bu t co u l d n t ; I tried to r u n bu t w as n t abl e ; I

,

,

tried to l ook back b u t m y h ead an d nec k w ere as i f they

,

w ere scre w ed i n a v ice I c o u l d barely rol l m y eye s o n

.

eac h s i de a nd the n I co ul d se e as clearly a n d pl ai n ly as if

, ,

it w as i n the broad l igh t o f the blesse d s u n a blac k and ,

cl o ve n f oot p l an ted U p on each o f m y sh o u l ders I he ard a .

lo w breath i n g i n m y ear ; I f e l t at ever y ste p I took m y ,

leg stri k e bac k a gai nst the fe et o f the creat u re th at w as o n

m y back S til l I coul d d o n oth i n g b u t w al k strai gh t o n
. .

A t last I ca m e w i th i n si gh t o f the h o u se an d a w el co m e ,

s igh t i t w as to m e f o r I th o u gh t I w o u l d b e released w he n
,

I reac hed i t I soo n ca m e close to the d oor bu t i t w as

.
,

sh ut ; I l ooked at the l i t tle w i n do w b u t i t w as sh u t too f o r , ,

they w ere m ore ca u ti o u s abo u t M ay eve th an I w as ; I s aw -

th e l i gh t i nside th ro u gh th e ch i n ks o f the d oor ; I h eard

,

e m talki n g a nd l au gh i n g w ith i n ; I fel t m ysel f at th ree

yards d i sta n ce fro m the m that w o u l d di e to save ir e ; an d

.
-

m ay th e Lo rd save m e f ro m ever a gai n feel i n g w h at I di d

th a t n i gh t w he n I fou n d m ysel f hel d by w hat co u ld n t be
,

good n or f rien d ly b u t w ith o u t the p o w er to h el p m y sel f

, ,
o r t o cal l m
y f riends or to put o u t m ,y h an d to k n oc k or ,

eve n to l i ft m y l eg to stri ke th e d oor an d le t the m k n o w ,

th at I w as o u ts i d e it !
'

I w as as if m y h an d s gre w to m y
"

s ides an d m y f eet w e r e gl u e d to th e grou nd or had th e

,
.

w eight o f a rock xed to the m A t l as t I th o u g h t of bless

.

i n g my sel f; a nd m y ri g h t h and , that w oul d d o n oth i n g else ,

116 T H E C R O O KE N E D B ACK .

d id t h at f o r me S til l t h e w eig h t re m a i ned o n my b ac k

.
,

an d al l w as as before I bl essed m y sel f aga i n : t w as sti l l

.

al l th e sa m e I the n gave m ysel f u p f o r l ost : bu t I blessed

.

m ysel f a th ird t i m e a n d m y h a n d n o s oo ner n i sh ed t h e

,

si gn tha n al l at o n ce I fel t th e burde n spri n g o ff o f m y

,

back ; th e d oo r e w O pe n as i f a clap o f th u n der burs t i t,

an d I w as p itc he d for w ard o n m y f oreh e ad i n u po n th e ,

m i dd l e o f th e oor Whe n I go t u p m y back w as cro ok

.

e n e d a n d I n ever stoo d strai g h t fro m th at n i gh t t o th i s

,

b lessed h ou r .

Th ere w as a pau se w h e n P eg gy B arrett n i sh ed Th o se .

w h o h eard th e story b e fore h ad l iste ned w i th a l oo k o f

h al f s atis e d i n terest bl en ded h o w ever w i th a n ex p ressio n

-
, , ,

o f th at seriou s an d sol e m n feel i n g w h i c h al w ays atten d s a

,

tal e o f Su p ern atural w o nd ers h o w o f te n soe ver tol d Th ey

, .

m oved U po n the i r seats o u t o f th e p osture i n w h ich they

h ad re m ai ned xed d u r i n g th e n arrati ve a n d s at i n a n atti ,

tu d e w h ich de n oted that th e i r cu ri osity as to th e cau se o f

th is stran ge o ccu rre n ce h ad bee n l o n g s i nce al layed Th os e .

t o w h o m i t w as before u n k n o w n sti l l retai ned th e i r l oo k

an d postu re o f strai ned attenti o n an d a n xi ou s bu t sole m n
,

expectati o n A grand so n o f Peggy s a b ou t n i n e year s

.

,

o ld n o t th e c h i l d o f the s o n w i th w h o m sh e l i ved , h ad
( )
n ever before h eard th e story A s i t gre w i n i nterest h e
.
,

w as o bserved to cl i n g cl oser a n d cl oser t o t h e o l d w o m a n s

s i de ; an d at t h e cl ose h e w as g azi n g stead fastly at h er w i t h ,

h i s body be n t b ac k across h er k nees a n d h is face turn e d ,

u t h ers w i th a l ook th ro u gh w h i ch a d i sposi t i o n t o

p o , ,

w eep see m ed co n te n d i n g w i th c u ri os ity A fter a m o m e n t s .

pau se h e cou l d n o l o nger restra i n h i s i m patien ce an d

, ,

catch i n g h er gray l ocks i n o n e h an d w h ile a tear o f d rea d

,

an d w o nder w as j ust d ropp i n g fro m h is eye l ash h e cr i ed , -

,
G ran ny w hat w as i t ?
,

T h e o ld w o m a n s m iled rst at th e e l der part o f h er au

d ie n c e an d th en at h er grandso n a n d patti n g h i m o n t h e
, ,

f ore head s he sa i d , It w as the P h ooka
, .
 T he P ou ke or P ho o ka, as t he w o r d i s c
pr o n o u n e d , m e an s , in p l ai n
t e r ms , t he Ev l O n e i .

Pl ayi n g t he p u ck ,
a c o mm o n A ng l o I r i s h
-

p hr as e , i s qu ival e n t t o
e

p ay i n g t he d e vil
l M u c h l e ar n i ng h as
.

b e e n d i s p l aye d in t raci n g th i s w o rd th r o ugh var i o u s l an g u ag e s v i de ,

Q u art e r ly R e vi e w [ v o l xx ii . T he c o m me n t at o r s o n Shak s p e ar e
.

d e r ive t he b e au ti f ul an d f r o lic k so me P uc k O f t he M ids u mm e r N i g ht s

D r e am fr o m t he m i s c h i e vo u s P o u ke V i de B r ayt o n s N y mp hid ia

. .

Thi s P u c k s e e ms b u t a d re am i n g d o lt

,

S till w al k i n g l ik e a r agg e d co lt

&c , .

In Go l d i n g
t ran s lati o n o f O vi d s Me t am o r pho s e s (1 587) w e n d
s

an d t he c o u n t r i e w he r e C hg ma r a t hat s ame P o o k e , ,

H ath g o ati s h b o d ie & c ,

.

Th e I ris h P ho o k a, i n i ts t
n a u re ct y l
p e r fe l r e s e mb e s t he M ahr ;
,

an d w e hav e y to o b s e rve
o nl tt tic l
, t ha he re is a p ar u ar Ge r man t r a

d iti o n o f a s p i r it w h i c h s it s
, lam o n g r e e d s an d a de r b u s he s ; an d

w hic h li k e t h e P ho o k a l e ap s u p o n t he b ac k o f t h o s e w ho p as s b
, , y
i n t he n ig ht an d do e s n o t l e ave t he m til l t he y fai n t an d fal l t o t he
,

e ar t h
. TH E B R O T H E R S GR I M LL
 TH I E R N A NA O GE .

W
O n Lo u g h N e ag h s b an k , as t h e s he r man
-

h e n t h e cl e ar c o l d e v e s d e c li n i n g ,

H e s e e s t he r o u n d t o w e r s o f o t h e r d ays
In t he w ave b e n e at h him s h i n i ng
.
t y
s ra s ,

MO OR E.

F IOR U S GA .

XV I I .

A L I T T L E w ay beyo n d the Gal l o w s Green o f C ork an d ,

j u st outsi d e th e to w n there i s a great l o u gh o f w ater w her e

, ,

peopl e i n the w i nter go a nd skate fo r the sake o f d i vers i o n ;

b ut the S port above the w ater i s n oth i n g to w h at i s u n d er
i t fo r at the very botto m o f th is l o u g h there are b u i l d i n gs
,

an d garde ns f ar m ore beauti fu l than a ny n o w to be seen

, ' ,

a nd ho w th ey ca m e th ere w as i n th i s m a n ner .

Lon g before S axo n foot pressed Iri sh gro u nd , t he r e w as

a grea t k i n g cal led C o rc w h ose palace stood w here th e
,

l o u gh n o w is i n a ro u n d green val ley that w as j u st a m i l e

, ,

abo u t I n the m i dd le o f the co u rt yard w as a s p ri n g o f

.
-

fair w ater, s o pu re an d s o clear, that i t w as the w o nder o f

,

al l t h e w orld M u ch d i d th e k i n g rejo i ce at h avi n g s o

.
W
1 20 F I O R U S GA .

great a cu riosi ty w i th i n h i s pal ace ; b u t as peopl e ca m e i n

cro w d s fro m far an d n ear to d ra w th e p rec io u s w ater o f
th is spri n g h e w as so r e ly a f rai d th at i n ti m e i t m ig h t b e
,

c o m e d r y ; s o h e caused a h i gh w al l to be b u il t u p rou n d i t ,

a n d w o u ld al lo w n ob ody to h ave the w ater w h i ch w as a ,

v ery great l oss to the p oor p eo p l e l i v i n g abo u t th e pal ace .

h en e v er h e w an te d an y for h i m sel f h e w o u l d se n d h i s ,

d au ghter to get i t n ot l ik i n g to tr u st h i s serva n ts w i th the

,

k e y of th e w el l d oor feari n g that th ey m i gh t g ive so m e

-
,

aw ay .

O ne n igh t th e k i n g gave a gran d e n terta i n m ent an d t h er e ,

w ere m any great ri n ces prese nt an d l o rd s a n d n obles

p ,

w i th ou t e nd ; an d th ere w ere w o n derfu l d oi n gs th rou gh o u t:

th e p ala ce : there w ere bo n res w h ose blaze reached u p to ,

th e very s k y ; a n d dan ci n g w as there to su ch s w eet m us i c , ,

th at i t o u gh t t o h av e w aked u p th e d ead o u t o f thei r graves ;

a n d feasti n g w as there i n th e greatest o f p l e n ty for all w h o
ca m e ; n or w as any o n e tur ned a w ay f ro m th e p al ace gates
b ut y o u re w el co m e y ou re w el co m e hearti ly , w as t he

,

porter s sal u te f o r al l

.

N o w i t h ap p en ed at th i s gra n d e ntertai n m e n t there w as

o n e y ou n
g p ri n ce ab ove al l th e rest m i gh ty co m el y to b e

h old a n d as tal l an d as strai gh t as ever ey e w o u l d w is h t o

,

l ook o n Righ t m erri ly d i d h e d an ce th at n i g h t w i th th e

.

o l d k i n g s d a u g h ter w h eel i n g h ere a n d w h eel i n g th ere as

, , ,

l i gh t as a feather and f ooti n g i t a w ay to th e ad m i rati o n o f

,

e very o n e Th e m u s ic i an s p l ayed th e better for seei n g

.

th e i r d an ci n g ; a n d th ey d a n ced as i f th ei r l i ves d e p e n d ed
U po n i t A fter all th is d an ci n g ca m e t h e Su p p er ; a n d t he
.

yo u n g pr i n ce w as seate d at table b y t h e s id e o f h i s bea u t i

ful partner w h o s m iled U p o n hi m as ofte n as h e Spoke to
,

h er ; a n d th at w as b y n o m ean s so O fte n as h e w i sh e d f o r ,

h e h ad con sta n tly to t u rn to th e c o m p an y an d th an k th e m

for th e m any co m pl i m e n ts passed U p o n h is fair partner an d
h i m sel f .

I n th e m i dst o f th i s ban quet o n e o f th e great l ords sa i d

,

to K i n g C o r e M ay i t p lease y o u r m ajesty h ere is e very

, ,

th i n g i n ab u nd an ce th at h eart c an w ish f o r bot h to eat an d ,

d ri n k exce p t w ater
, .

Water ! sai d th e k i n g m igh ti ly pleased at so m e o n e
,

cal l i n g for th at o f w h i ch p u rp osely th ere w as a w an t :

 F IO R U SGA . 1 21

w a te r s h al l y o u h ave m y l ord sp e ed i ly , and t h at o f su c h

, ,

a del i c ious k i nd that I ch allenge all th e w orld to eq u al i t

,
.

Da u gh ter sai d h e go fetch so m e i n th e gol de n vessel
,

,

w h i c h I cau sed to be m ad e for th e pur p ose .

The k i n g s d au gh ter w h o w as cal led Fi or U sga (w h i ch

, ,

s i gn i es i n E n gl ish S p ri n g Water ) d i d n ot m u c h l i ke to
, , ,

b e tol d to perfor m s o m e n ial a serv ice before so m a n y peo

pl e an d th ou gh Sh e d i d n ot vent u re to re f u se the co m m and s
,

o f h er fath er yet hesitated to obey h im a n d l ooke d d o w n

, ,

U po n th e grou nd Th e k i n g w h o l oved h is da u ghter very

.
,

m u ch seei n g th is w as sorr y fo r w h at h e h ad d esired her

, ,

t o d o bu t h av i n g said th e w ord h e w as n ever k n o w n to

, ,

recal l i t ; h e therefore th o u gh t o f a w ay to m ake h is d au gh

ter go speed i ly and fetch the w ater a nd i t w as b y p r o ,

posi n g that th e you n g pri n ce her partner sh o u l d go al on g

w i th h er A ccord i ngly w ith a l ou d vo i ce h e said B a u gh

.
, , ,

ter I w on der n ot at yo u r feari n g to go al o ne s o l ate at

,

n ig h t ; b u t I d ou bt n ot th e yo u n g pri n ce at y o u r s id e w il l

go w ith you . The pri n ce w as n ot d ispl eased at h eari n g
th is ; an d tak i n g th e golde n vessel i n o n e h and w i th th e ,

oth er l ed t h e k i n g s da u gh ter o u t o f th e h al l s o graceful l y

that al l prese n t gaze d a f ter the m w i th del igh t .

Whe n they ca m e to the s p ri n g o f w ater i n th e court ,

yard o f th e p alace t he f ai r U sga u nl o cked t he d oor w it h

,

t h e greatest care a nd stoopi n g d o w n w i th th e gol de n vesse l

,

t o take so m e o f th e w ater o u t O f th e w el l fo u n d th e vessel ,

s o h eavy that s h e l ost her bal ance a n d f el l i n Th e yo u n g .

pri nce tried i n vai n to save h er fo r the w ater rose a n d rose ,

s o fast , th at th e e ntire co u rt yard w as speed ily covered -

w i t h i t a n d h e h aste ned back al m ost i n a state o f d istra e

,

t i o n to t h e k i n g .

T he d oor o f th e w el l bei n g left O pen t h e w ater w h i c h , ,

h ad bee n s o l o n g co n ned rej oiced at obta i n i n g i ts l i berty

, ,

r ush ed forth i n cessan t ly e very m o m e nt r is i n g h i gher an d

,

h i gher an d w as i n th e hal l o f the e ntertai n m e n t sooner

,

t h a n the you n g pr i n ce h i m sel f so that w he n h e atte m pte d

,

t o speak t o th e k i n g h e w as u p to h i s neck i n w ater At .

l en gth th e w ater r ose to su ch a h ei gh t th at i t l led th e ,

e n ti r e o f th e gree n val ley i n w h ich th e ki n g s palace stood

,

an d s o th e present l ou gh o f C ork w as for m ed .

Y et the k i n g an d hi s guests w ere n ot dro w ne d as w o ul d ,

11
 1 22 CO RM A C A ND MA R Y.

no w h app e n , i f su ch a n aw fu l i n u ndat i o n w e r e to tak e

pl ace ; ne i th er w as h i s d a u gh ter t he fa i r U sga w ho re
, ,

t u rn e d to t he ban q u et h al l th e very n ext n i gh t af ter th i s

-

d r e a d f u l eve nt ; a n d every n i gh t s i n ce th e sa m e en terta i n

m en t an d da n c i n g g oes o n i n th e palace at th e b o tto m o f
t h e l o u gh a n d w il l l ast u nt i l so m e o n e h as t he l u ck t o
,

br i n g u p o u t o f i t the gold e n vesse l w hi ch w as th e c au s e

o f al l th is m i sch ie f
.

N o bo d y ca n d o u bt th at i t w as a j u d g m e n t U po n the k i n g
fo r h i s s h u tti n g u p th e w el l i n th e co u rt yard f ro m the poor
-

e O le : a n d i f th ere are a n y w h o d o n ot cred i t m story

p p y ,
the y m ay go a n d s e e th e l ou g h Of C ork fo r there it is to ,

be see n to th i s d a y ; th e road to Ki nsale passes at o ne s i d e

o f i t ; an d w h e n i ts w aters are l o w an d cl ear t h e tops o f ,

to w ers an d stately bu i l d i n gs m ay be pl ai nl y v ie w ed in t he
b otto m by t h ose w ho h ave goo d eyesi gh t , w i th o u t t he h elp
o f s pectacles .

C OR MA C AN D MAR Y .

XV II I .

SH E i s n o t dead s h e h as n o grave
S h e l i ves ben eath Lou gh C o r r ib s w ater ; "

A n d in th e m u r m u r o f each w ave

M eth i nk s I catc h the son gs I taug h t h er .

T h u s m a ny an eve n i n g o n the s h o r e

S at C or m ac rav i ng w i l d a n d lo w ly ;
In t he c o unty o f Gal w ay .
 C O RM A C A ND M A RY . 1 23

S t i l l i dl y m u tter i n g o e r an d o e r ,

S he l i ves d e tai n d by spells u n h ol y

,

.

Death cl ai m s h er n ot too fai r for eart h ,

,

Her spirit l i ves al ie n o f heav en ;

Nor w i l l i t k no w a secon d bi rt h
W he n si nfu l m ortal s are forgive n !
Go ld i s t h i s rock th e w i n d co m e s ch il l ,
A n d m ists the g loo m y w aters co ver ;
B u t o h ! her soul i s col d er sti l l
To lose h er God to leave h er l over !

Th e l ake w as i n pro fou n d re p ose ,

Yet o ne w h i te w ave ca m e ge ntly curl i n g,

A n d as i t r e ac h d th e sh ore arose

,

D i m gu r e s ba n ners gay u n f u rl i n g .

O n w ard th e y m ove a n airy cro w d :

,

T h ro u g h each th i n f or m a m oo nl i gh t ray s h on e ;
Wh i le Sp ear an d he l m i n p ageant proud ,
,

A ppear i n l i qu i d u nd u l ati o n .

B righ t barbed steeds cu rvetti n g tread

Th e ir trackless w ay w ith a n ti c ca p ers ;

W
A n d c u rtai n cl o u d s h an g o verh ea d ,

F e s to o n d b y ra i n bo w c o l o u r d vapou rs
-

.

A nd w h e n a breath o f ai r w o u l d sti r
T hat d r aper y o f Heave n s o w n w reath i n g

,
L i ght w i n gs o f p ris m y gossa m er
J u st m oved a nd sparkled to the b reath i n g .

Nor w an ti n g w as th e ch oral son g ,

S w el l i n g i n si l very ch i m es o f s w ee t ness ;
T o so u nd o f w h i ch th i s s u btil e thron g
A d va nced i n pl a y fu l grace a n d e e t n e s s .

i th m usi c
s strai n al l ca m e a n d w e n t
,

U p o n poor C or m ac s d o u b ti n g v i sion ;

N o w r isi ng i n w i l d m erri m en t ,

N o w so f tly fad i n g i n derisi o n .

1 24 L E GE N D O F L O U G H G UR .

C h r i st save h er soul h e b ol d ly cr i ed ;
,

A n d w h e n th at bl essed n a m e w as S p ok e n ,
F i erce yel ls a n d en d i sh sh ri eks repl ied ,

A n d va n i s h ed al l ,t h e Spel l w as broke n .

A nd n o w on Co r r ib
l o nely sh ore

s ,

F ree d b y h i s w ord fro m po w er o f f ae ry ,

T o l i fe to l ove restored o n ce m Or e
, , ,

Y o u n g C or m ac w el co m es back h is M ary .

T H E LE G E N D O F L O U GH GU R .

XIX .

L A RR Y C O TT E R h ad a far m o n o n e S i d e o f L ou g h
an d w as th ri v i n g i n i t f o r h e w as an i n d u s t r io u s prop e r
,

s o rt o f m an w h o w oul d h ave l i ved qu i etly a n d soberly t o

,

t h e e n d O f h i s d ays bu t f o r the m i sfortu n e th at ca m e U po n

,

h i m an d y o u sh al l hear h o w th at w as
,
He h ad as n i ce a
.

b i t o f m ead o w lan d d o w n by th e w ater s i d e as ever a m an

-
,
-
,

w ou l d w is h for ; b u t i ts gro w th w as spoi led e nti rely o n

h i m an d n o o n e co u l d tel l h o w
,
.

O n e year after th e other i t w as all r u i ned j u st i n th e sa m e

w a : the bou nd s w ere w ell m ade U p a n d n ot a sto ne o f
y ,

In the c o un ty o f Li me r ic k .
 L E GE N D OF L O U GH GU R . 1 25

t h e m w as d i stu rbed ; ne i ther coul d his n e i gh bou rs cattl e

h ave bee n gu ilty of the tresp ass fo r they w ere S p an celled ; ,

" 6

but h o w ever i t w as d one t he grass o f th e m ead o w w as ,

'

destroyed w h i c h w as a great loss to Larry

,
.

Wha t i n th e w id e w orl d w i l l I d o ? said Larry C otter

to h i s n ei gh bo u r T o m Wel sh w h o w as a very d ecen t sort

, ,

o f m an h i m sel f :
t h at bi t o f m eado w land w h ich I am -
,

pay i n g th e grea t ren t for is do i n g n o th i n g at al l t o m ake

,

i t for m e ; an d th e ti m es are b itter b ad , w i th ou t th e help O f

that t o m ake th e m w orse .

T i s true for y o u L arry repl ied Wel sh : th e t i m es
,

,

are bitter bad n o d ou bt o f that ; bu t m ay b e i f yo u w ere

to w a tch by n i ght y o u m i gh t m ake o u t al l abou t i t : sure
, ,

there s M i ck a n d Terry m y t w o b oy s w i l l w atch w i th

, ,

y ou ; for ti s a th ousa n d p i ti es an y h o nest m an l ike y o u

sh ou ld be ru i ne d i n s u ch a sch e m i n g w ay .

A ccord in gl y th e f ol l o w i n g n i g ht Larry C otter w i th

, , ,

Wel sh s t w o son s took thei r statio n i n a corner o f th e

,

m eado w I t w as j u st at the f u l l o f th e m oo n w h i ch w as
.
,

sh i n i n g beautifu l ly d o w n U po n th e lake th at w as as cal m ,

al l over as th e s k y i tsel f ; n ot a cl o u d w as there to be see n

an y w h ere n or a sou n d to be h eard
,
b u t th e cry O f the ,

c o r n c r e ak s a n s w er i n g o n e a n other across th e w ater .

B oys ! boys ! sai d Larry look there ! l ook there

, ! but
f o r yo u r l i ves do n t m ake a b i t o f n oise n or sti r a step ti l l

,

I s ay th e w ord .

They l ooked a n d s aw a great fat c o w fol lo w e d by seve n

, ,

m il k w h i te h eifers m o vi n g o n th e s m o oth su r f ace o f th e

-
,

lake to w ards t h e m ead o w .

Ti s n ot T i m D w yer th e piper s c o w

any w ay that
, ,

dan ced all th e es h O ff her bones w h i sper ed M ick to h i s ,

brother .

N o w boys ! sai d Larry C otter w h e n h e s aw th e n e ,

co w a n d h er seve n w h i te h ei fers f ai rly i n th e m ead o w ,

w ee n the m an d the l ake i f y o u can a nd n o m atter
get bet
, ,

j

w h o they bel on g to w e ll u s t pu t the m i n to the pou n d

, .

B ut th e c o w m ust h ave overheard Larry Spea k in g f o r ,

d o w n sh e w e n t i n a great h urry to th e sh ore o f the la k e ,

an d i nto i t w i th her before al l thei r eyes : a w a y m ad e th e

,

se ve n hei fers after h er b u t t h e boys go t d o w n to the ban k

,

Sp a c e ll d f e tte e d
n e r .
 1 26 T HE E NCH A NT E D L A KE .

be fore t h e m an d w ork e n ou g h t h ey h ad t o dr i v e t h e m u p
,

fro m th e l ake t o Larry C otter .

Larry d rove th e seve n h ei fers an d beauti ful beasts t h e y

,

w ere to th e pou n d : b ut a f ter h e h ad th e m th e r e fo r th re e

,

d ays an d coul d h ear o f n o o w n er h e took the m o u t an d

, , ,

u t th e m u p i n a el d o f h i s o w n T here h e kept th e m
p .
,

an d they w ere t h ri v i n g m i gh ty w el l w i th h im u nti l o n e ,

n i ght th e gate o f th e el d w as l eft O pen , an d i n th e m o rn

i n g th e seven h ei fers w ere gon e Larry cou l d n o t get an y

.

accou n t o f th e m after ; an d beyo n d al l d o u bt i t w as bac k

, ,

i n to th e lake they w en t Wh erever the y ca m e fro m o r

.
,

to w h atever w orl d th ey bel o n ge d Larry C otter n ever h ad ,

a cro p o f grass 0 3 th e m ead o w throu g h th e i r m ean s

.
So .

h e took t o d r i n k fa i rl y o u t o f th e gr i ef ; a n d i t w as t he
,

d ri n k th at k i l led h im , they s ay .

T HE E N C H A N TE D LAKE .

XX .

IN t h e w es t o f Irel an d t h ere w as a lake an d n o d ou b t ,

i t i s there st i ll i n w h i c h m any yo u n g m e n h ad b ee n at
,

v ar io u s t i m e s dro w ned Wh at m ade th e ci rcu m stan ce r e

.

m arkabl e w as th at t h e bod ies o f th e d ro w ned person s w er e

,

n ever fou n d Peopl e n atural ly w o ndered at th is : an d at

.

l e n gth th e l ake ca m e to h ave a bad repute M an y d readfu l .

stories w ere tol d about th at l ake ; so m e w oul d ai r m that ,

o n a d ark n i gh t its w aters a p peared l i ke r e ot h ers w oul d

speak of h orr i d for m s w h ic h w ere se e n to gl id e o ver i t ;

an d every o n e agreed th at a stran ge s ul p h u reous s m el l i s
s ued fro m o u t o f i t .
 T HE E N OH A N T E D L A KE . 1 27

Th ere l i ved , no tfro m t hi s l ake a you n g

f ar d istan t
f ar m er na m ed Roderick K eati n g w h o w as about to be
, ,

m arried to o n e o f the prettiest girl s i n that part o f the

cou ntry O n h i s return f ro m Li m eri ck w here h e had
.
,

bee n to p u rch ase th e w e d d i ng ri n g he ca m e u p w ith t w o -

,

o r th ree o f h i s acq u ai n tance w h o w ere stan d i n g o n th e ,

s hore , an d they began to j oke w i th hi m abo u t P eggy H o

n an . O n e sai d that you n g Delaney h i s r i val h ad i n h is , ,

abse n c e co ntri ved to w in the a ff ecti o n o f h is m istress

but Roderi ck s c on de n ce i n h is i n tended brid e w as to o

g reat to b e d i sturbe d at th is tale an d p u ttin g h i s han d i n ,

h is p ock et he prod u ce d an d hel d U p w ith a sign ican t l ook

,

the w ed d i n g ri n g A S he w as t u rn i n g i t bet w ee n h i s fore

-
.

n ger a nd th u m b i n to k en o f tri u m p h so m eh o w o r othe r

, ,

the ri n g fel l f ro m h is h and an d rolled i nto th e l ake : R o

,

deri ck l ooked a f ter i t w ith the greatest sorro w ; i t w as n o t

s o m u ch f o r i ts val u e th ou h i t had cos t h i m h al f a gu i nea
g
- -
, ,

as for th e il l l uck o f the th i n g ; an d the w ater w as s o deep

-
,

th at there w as l i ttl e ch an ce o f recoveri n g i t H i s co m pa .

n i ons lau hed at h i m an d h e i n V ai n e n d eav ou red to te m t

g , p
a ny o f the m b y the O ff er o f a h an d so m e re w ard to d iv e
a fter th e ri n g : the y w ere al l as l itt le i n cl i ned t o vent u re as

Ro d eri ck K eati n g h i m sel f ; fo r the tal es w h i ch th ey h ad

h eard w he n ch il d re n w ere stron gl y i m p ressed o n t hei r
m e m ories an d a S U p e r s t i t io u s d rea d lled th e m i n d o f each
,
.

M ust I then go ba ck to L i m eri ck to b u y an other ri n g ?

ex cl ai m ed th e yo u ng far m er
Wi ll n o t ten ti m es w h at th e
.

r i n g cost te m pt a n y o n e o f y o u to ve nture a f ter it ?
Th ere w as w i th i n h eari n g a i n a n w h o w as co nsidered to
b e a poor crazy h al f w itted fell o w b ut h e w as as har m less
, ,
-
,

as a ch i l d an d u se d to go w an der i n g U p an d d o w n th ro u gh
,

th e co u ntr y f ro m o n e p lace to an o t her Wh en h e h eard o f .

s o great a re w ard P ad d e e n for th at w as h i s n a m e spoke

, , ,

o ut,
an d sai d th at if Ro d e ric k K eati n g w oul d gi ve h im
,

e nco u rage m ent eq u al t o w h at h e had O ff ered to other s h e ,

w as ready to vent u re a f ter th e ri n g i nto the l ake ; an d

P ad d e e n all the w h ile h e s p oke l ooked as coveto u s a fter

, ,

th e s p ort as the m o ney .

I l l take

O at y ou r ord
aid Keati n g S Pad :

u w O
y s ,
.

dee n pull ed o ff h is coat a n d w i thout a S i n gl e syllable m ore

, ,

d o w n h e pl u n ged , head fore m ost i nto the lake : w ha t ,

d ept h h e w e nt to , n o o n e ca n tel l exactly ; bu t he w as go

1 28 : T H E E N C H A NTE D L A KE .

i ng , go i n g , go i ng d o w n t hrou g h th e w ater , u nt i l th e w a te r

parted fro m h im , a n d h e ca m e U po n th e d ry la n d ; the s k y,

and the l i gh t , an d e v ery th i n g , w as t h e r e j u st as i t i s he r e ; 1
a n d h e s aw ne pl e as ure gro u nd s w i th an el ega n t ave nue -
,

th rou g h th e m and a grand h o u se w i t h a po w er of s te p s

, ,

go i n g u p to th e d oor Whe n h e h ad r ecovered fro m h is

.

w o n d e r at n d i n g th e la n d s o d ry an d c o m f ortable u n d e r

ter he l o oked abou t h im an d w h at sh o u l d h e s e e

,
i
,

bu t al l th e yo u n g m e n th at w ere d ro w n ed w o rk i n g a w ay
i n th e pl e as u re gro u n d s as i f n oth i n g h ad e ver h a pp e ned to
-

th e m ! S o m e O f th e m w ere m o w i n g d o w n th e gra s s and

m ore w ere settl i n g o u t th e gravel w al ks a n d d oi ng all ,

m an n er o f n ice w ork , as n eat a n d as cl ever as i f they h ad

n e ve r bee n d ro w n ed ; a n d they w ere s i n gi n g aw ay w i t h

h i gh gl ee :
S he is f ai r as C appo q u i n ;
H ave yo u c o urag e he r t o w in 1

A n d h e r w e al t h i t far o u t s hi n e s
C ull e n s ho g an d S il ve r mi n e s

.

S he e x c e e d s all h e ar t c an w i s h ;
N o t b r aw li n g li k e t he F o he r is h ,

B u t as t he b r ig htly o w i ng Le e ,

Gr ac e f u l m i ld an d p u r e is s he !, ,

Wel l P ad d e e n co ul d n o t but l ook at t h e yo un g me n fo r

, ,

h e k n e w so m e o f th e m before th ey w ere lost i n the lake ;

b u t h e said n oth i n g th ou gh h e th o u gh t a great deal mor e
,

f o r al l t h at l i ke an o y s t e r z n o n ot th e w i n d of a w o rd
, ,

passed h i s l i p s ; s o o n h e w e nt to w ard s th e b i g h ou se bol d ,

en ough as i f h e h ad see n n oth i n g t o speak o f ; yet all t he

,

ti m e m i gh til y w i sh i n g t o k n o w w ho the you n g w o m a n i

coul d be that th e you n g m e n w ere s i n gi n g t he son g a b ou t .

Wh e n h e h ad n earl y reached th e d o or o f the grea t h ou se ,

o u t w al ks f ro m the k i tch e n a po w erful f at w o m a n m ov i n g ,

al o n g l i ke a bee r barrel o n t w o l egs w i th teeth as bi g as

-
,

h orses t e e th an d U p sh e m ade to w ard s h im
,
.

G ood m orro w
P ad d e e n ,
sai d S he , .

Good m or ro w M a a m sai d h e
,

, .

Wh at b ro u g h t y o u h ere ? said s h e .

f
Tis a ter R ory K ati n g s gol d ri n g sa id h e I m
e
, ,

co m e .

Here i t i s f o r yo u sai d P add e e n s fat f ri end w i t h a
,

,

s m il e o n h er fac e that m o ved l i ke boi l i n g stirabou t [ gruel ] .

Tha nk y o u M a a m , repl i e d P adde e n , tak i n g it fr o m

,

 THE E N C H AN T E D L A K E . 1 29

he r : I need n ot s ay the Lord i n crease y o u fo r you re ,

fat en o u gh alread y W i ll y ou tel l m e if you please , am I

.
,

to go back the sa m e w ay I ca m e ?

Th e n y o u d id n o t co m e to m arry m e ? cr ied th e c o r
u l e n t w o m an i h a desperate fu r y
p .
.

J u st w ai t til l I co m e bac k agai n m y darl i n g,
sa i d ,

P ad d e e n : I m to be pai d for m y m essage an d I m u st

,

r e t u rn w ith th e an s w er o r el se th ey l l w o n der w h at h as

,

beco m e o f m e .

Never m i nd th e
m o ney m
said th e fat w o an : if y o u
,

m arry m e y o u sh al l l ive f o r ever an d a day i n th at h ouse ,

,

an d w a nt f o r n oth i n g .

P ad d e e n s aw clearly th at h av i n g got possessi o n o f th e

,

r i n g th e fat w o m a n h ad n o po w er t o detai n h i m ; s o w i th
,

o u t m i nd i n g a ny th in g s h e said he kept m ovi n g an d m ov i n g

,

d o w n th e aven ue qu ite q u i etl y an d l ook i n g abo u t h im ;

, ,

f o r to tel l t he truth h e had n o particular i n cl i n ati o n t o

, ,

m arry a fat fai ry .Wh e n h e ca m e to th e gate w ith out ,

e ver say i n g good by o u t h e bol ted an d h e fo u n d th e w a

, ,

ter co m i n g all abou t him aga i n U p h e pl u n ged th ro u g h

.

i t an d w on der e n ou gh there w as w he n P ad d e e n w as see n

, ,

s w i m m i n g a w ay at the O posite Si de o f th e l ake ; bu t h e

p
s oo n m ade th e sh o re an d tol d Roderi ck K eati n g an d th e ,
,
o th er boys t h at w ere stan d i n g there l ook i n g o u t f o r h im al l ,

t hat h ad happened Roderi ck pai d h i m th e ve gu i neas f o r

.

th e r i n g o n the spot ; an d P ad d e e n th ou gh t h i m sel f s o r i c h

w i th suc h a s u m o f m o n ey i n h is
p ocket that h e d id no t
,

g o back t o m arry th e fat lady w i th th e ne h ouse at th e

botto m o f t h e lake k no w i n g s he had p len ty o f y ou n g m e n
,

t o c h o o se a h u sb an d fr o m , if S h e p leased to be m arr i ed .

D
 1 30

T H E LE G E N D O F O

D O N O GH U E .

XX I .

IN an age S O d i sta nt t h at th e preci se per i o d i s U nk n o w n,

a c h i eftai n n a m e d O D o n o ghu e rul ed ov er t h e cou n try

w h i c h s u rrou nd s th e ro m an t i c Lou gh Lea n no w cal le d ,

th e l ake o f Ki l larn ey Wisd o m b e n e c e n ce an d j u stice

.
, , ,

d i sti n gu i sh ed h i s rei gn a n d th e pros p er i ty a n d h a pp i ness o f

,

h is s u bj ects w ere th ei r n at u ral r esu lts H e i s sa i d t o h ave

.

b ee n as re n o w ned for h i s w a r l i ke ex pl o i ts as for h i s pac i c

v i rtu e s ; an d as a pro of th at h i s d o m esti c ad m i n i strati o n w as
n o t t he less ri g o rou s becau se i t w as m il d a rocky i slan d is ,

po i n ted o u t t o stra n gers cal l ed O D o n o gh u e s P riso n i n
,

,

w h i c h th i s ri n ce o n c e co n ne d h i s o w n s o n f o r so m e ac t
p
o f d isorder an d d is obe d ie n ce

H is e n d fo r i t ca n n o t correctl y be cal l ed h i s d eath

.

5
w as s i n gu l ar a n d m y ste r i ous A t o n e o f tho s e Spl e n d i d
.

f easts f o r w h i ch h is c o ur t w as cel ebrated Su rrou n d ed b y ,

th e m o st d i s t i n gu i s hed o f h i s Su bjects h e w as e n gaged i n a ,

roph et i c relati o n f th e e vents w h i c h w ere to h a pen i n

p o p
ages yet to co m e . H i s au d itors l isten e d n o w w r apt i n ,

w o n der n o w red w i th i n d i gnati o n b urn i n g w i th sh am e ,

, ,

o r m el ted i n to s o rro w ,
as h e faith fu l l y deta ile d the h eroi s m,
t h e i nju ries th e cri m e s a ri d th e m iseri es o f the i r d esce n d
, ,

a nts I n th e m i d st o f h i s pre d i ctio n s h e rose sl o w ly f r o m

.

h i s seat ad van ced w i th a sole m n m easu re d a n d maj e sti c

, , ,

t read to th e sh ore o f th e l ake a n d w

,
al ked f or w ar d c o m
o s e dl U o n i ts u ny i eld i n g su rface W he n h e h ad n earl y
p y p .

r eached th e ce ntre h e pau sed fo r a m o m ent the n t u rn i n g

, ,

slo w l y rou n d l ooked to w ard s h i s f rie nd s an d w av i n g h is

, ,

ar m s to th e m w i th th e ch e e rfu l ai r o f o n e t ak in g a sh ort
/
fare w el l d is ap peared f ro m t h ei r v i e w
, .

Th e m e m o ry o f th e good O D o n O gh u e h as bee n ch er i sh ed

by su ccessi ve ge nerati o ns w i th a ffecti o nate re vere n ce : a n d

i t i s bel ieved that at s u n rise o n every M ay d e w m or n i n g
,
-
,

th e an n i versary o f h i s de p artu re h e rev i sits h is anc ien t ,

d o mai n s : a fav o u r e d fe w o n ly are i n ge n er al p e r m i tted t o

 L E G E N D O F O D O N O G HU E

. 1 31

se e hi m, t hi s d i st i nct i on is al w ays an o me n o f goo d

an d
for t u ne to the beh ol d ers : w he n i t i s gra n ted t o m any , i t i s
a sure toke n o f a n ab u nda nt harvest a blessi n g th e w an t , ,

O f w h i ch d u ri ng th is pri nce s rei g n w as n ever felt by h is
p e o pl e .

S o m e years h ave elapsed si n ce the last appe ara n ce o f

O D o n o gh u e

Th e A p ri l o f that year h ad bee n r e m ar k a
.

bly w i l d an d stor m y ; bu t o n M ay m orn i n g th e fu ry o f th e -

el e m ents h ad altogether s u b si ded T h e a i r w as h u she d an d .

sti ll ; an d th e s k y w h i ch w as reected i n th e seren e l ake

, ,

rese m bled a beau ti ful b u t dece itfu l cou ntenan ce w hose ,

s m iles after th e m ost te m p estu ous e m oti on s te m pt th e

, ,

s tran ger to bel ieve th at i t b el on gs to a sou l w h ic h n o pas

sio n has ever r u i e d .

Th e rst bea m s o f th e r i s i n g s u n w ere j ust gil d i n g t h e

l ofty su m m i t o f Gle n aa w h e n th e w aters near th e eastern
,

Sh ores o f th e l ake beca m e sudde nl y an d v i olen tl y agitated ,

thou gh al l th e rest o f i ts surface l ay s m ooth an d sti l l as a
to m b o f pol ished m arbl e ; th e nex t m o m e nt a f oa m i n g w av e
darted for w ard a nd l ike a prou d h i gh crested w ar h orse
, ,
- -
,

ex ul ti n g i n h i s stren gth r u shed across th e l ak e t o w ard s

,

T o o m ie s m ou nta i n Beh i n d th is w ave appeared a statel y

.

w arri or f u l ly ar m ed m o u nted U p o n a m i lk W h i te steed ;

,
-

h is s n o w y pl u m e w aved gracefu l l y f ro m a h el m et o f p o
l is h e d steel an d at h is back u ttered a l i gh t bl ue scarf
,
.

The h orse appare ntly ex ul ti n g i n h i s n oble b u rden spra n g

, ,

after th e w ave al o n g th e w ater w h i ch bore h i m U p l i ke ,

r m earth w h il e sh o w ers o f spray th at gl i ttered b ri g h tl y

,

i n th e m orn in g s u n w ere d ash ed u p at every boun d .

T he w arri or w as O D o n o ghu e ; h e w as fol l o w ed by n u m

b e r l e s s you th s an d m aid ens w h o m o ved l i ghtly an d u n c o n

strai ned over the w atery pl ai n as th e m oo nl i g h t fai ries ,

gl ide th ro u gh the el d s o f ai r : th ey w ere l i n ke d together

b y garlan d s o f del i ci o u s spri n g o w ers an d they ti m ed ,

thei r m ove m e nts to strai n s o f e n ch anti n g m elody Whe n .

O D o n o gh u e h ad n early reache d th e w ester n s i d e o f th e

l ake h e s u dd enl y t u rned h i s steed an d d i rected h i s co u rse

, ,

al on g the w ood f ri n ged Sh ore o f Gle n aa p receded by t h e

-
,

h u ge w ave th at c u rled a nd f oa m ed Up as h i g h as th e horse s
n eck w h ose ery n ostri l s s norted a bove it
,
T h e l o n g tra i n .

o f atte nd ants fol lo w e d w i t h pl ayfu l de v iat i o n s t h e track o f

132 L E GE N D OF
o D O N O G H UE .
Q

th e i r l e a d er an d m o ved o n w i t h u n abated e e t ne s s to t h e i r
,

c el est i al m us i c til l grad ual ly as th ey e ntered th e n ar r o w

, ,

s trai t bet w ee n G le n aa a n d D i n i s they beca m e i nv ol ve d i n

,

th e m i sts w h ic h sti l l partial l y oated over th e l ake s an d ,

f aded f ro m the v i e w o f th e w o nderi n g beh ol ders : bu t th e

s ou n d o f t h e i r m us i c st i l l fel l u po n t h e ear an d ech o catc h
, ,

i n g u p th e h ar m o n i ou s st r a i n s fo n d ly repeated an d p r o

l o n ged t h e m in s oft a nd softer to nes ti l l t h e l ast fai nt repe

,

t iti o n d i e d aw ay , an d t h e h earers a w o k e as fro m a dr e am

o f bl i s s.

Thi e rn u n a Og e , o r the C o u n try o f Y o u th, i s the n ame give n t o

the f o re g o i n g s e cti o n , f ro m t he b e li e f t hat t h o s e w ho d w e l l i n r e
i n s o f e n c han t me n t b e n e at h the w at e r ar e n o t aff e ct e d b t h e
g o y
m o ve me nts o f ti m e .
 L E GE N D S O F TH E M E R R O W .

T he mys te r i o us de pt hs

A nd w il d an d w o n dr o us f o r ms o f o c e an O ld .

M A T TI MA C o n cho log zs t
'

S .

T H E LAD Y OF GOLLE R U S .

XX II

W
W
.

O N th e Sh ore of S m er w i ck h arb o u r o n e ne su m m er s ,

m orn i n g j ust at d ay break stood D i c k F itzgerald

,
-
,
S
h ogh

i n g th e d u deen w h i ch m ay be translate d s m oki n g h is
, ,

i e Th e s u n w as grad u al l y ris i n g beh i n d t h e l ofty

p p .

B rand o n the dark sea w as getti ng gree n i n th e l i gh t an d

, ,

the m i sts cleari n g a w ay o u t o f the val leys w en t rol l i n g

, ,

a nd cu rl in g l i ke th e s m oke fro m th e corn er o f D i ck s

m ou th .

Ti s j ust the pattern o f a pretty m orn i n g sai d D i ck

, ,

tak i n g the p ipe fro m bet w ee n h i s l i p s a n d l ooki n g to w ar d s

,

t h e d istant ocean w h ich l ay as stil l a n d tranq u i l as a to m b

,

of
p ol ished m arble e l l to
. be su re , ,
co nti nu e d b e ,

after a p au se ti s m i gh ty l oneso m e to be talk i n g to on e s
,

s el f by ay o f co m pany , a n d not to h ave anot h er sou l t o

12
1 34 T H E LA DY o r GOL L E R Us .

a n s w e r o ne n ot h i n g b u t t h e ch il d o f o n e s o w n v o ic e the
,

ech o ! I k n o w th i s th at i f I had th e l u ck o r m ay be t he
, ,

m i sfortu n e said D ick ith a elan ch ol y s il e to h av e
,
w m m
,

th e w o m a n i t w o u l d n o t be th i s w ay w i th m e !
,
an d w h at
i n th e w i d e w orl d is a m an w i th ou t a w i fe ? H e s n o m or e

s urely th an a bottl e w i th ou t a d rop o f d r i n k i n i t o r d an c i n g ,

w i thou t m usi c o r th e le f t leg o f a sc i ssors o r a sh i n g l i n e

, ,

w ith o ut a h ook o r any oth er m atter th at i s n o w ays c o m

,

e te Is i t n o t s o ?

p l .
sai d D i ck F i tzgeral d cast i n g h is eye s ,

to w ard s a rock U po n the stran d w h i c h thou g h i t coul d rio t ,

speak stoo d u p as r m an d l ooked as bol d as e ver Kerry

,

w i tness d id .

B u t w h at w as h is asto n ish m en t at be h ol d i n g j ust at t h e ,

f o t o f that rock a beau ti fu l you n g creatu re c om bi n g h e r

g
h air w h i ch w as o f a s e a gr e e n c o l o u r ; an d n o w th e salt

-
,

w ater sh i n i n g o n i t, appeared i n th e m orn i n g l i g h t , l i k e

m el te d b utter U po n cab bage .

D ick guessed at o n ce th at s h e w as a M erro w al th ou g h ,

h e h ad n ever seen o ne befo r e for h e s p i ed th e co hu le en ,

d r iu th o r l i t tl e e n c h an ted c ap, w h i ch th e s e a p e opl e u s e f o r

,

d i v i n g d o w n into t he o c e an lyi n g U po n th e stran d n ea r

, ,

h er ; a n d h e h ad h eard th at i f O n ce h e c o u l d possess h i m sel f

o f th e cap s h e w ou l d l ose th e po w er o f go i n g a w ay i nto
,

t h e w ater : s o b e seize d i t w i t h al l speed an d s h e h eari n g , ,

th e n o i se , turn e d h er h ead abou t as n atural as an y C h r i s

t i an .

Wh e n th e M erro w s aw t h at h er l i ttl e d i v i n g cap w as -

go ne th e sal t tears d ou bl y sal t n o d o u bt f ro m

, , ,

ca m e tr i ckl i n g d o w n h er ch eeks an d s h e b ega n v ,

m ou rn fu l cry w i t h j ust th e ten der v oi ce o f a n e w bor n i n -

f an t . D i ck al th o u g h h e k n e w w el l en ou gh w h at s he w as
,

cry i n g for deter m i n ed to k eep th e co hu lee n dr iu th let he r

, ,

c r y n ever s o m u ch to see w h at l u ck w o u l d co m e o u t o f i
, t .

Y et h e co u l d n o t h el p pity i n g h er a n d w h e n th e d u m b ,

th i ng l ooked u p i n h i s face an d h er c h eek s al l m o ist w i t h

,

t ears t w as eno u gh to m a k e a ny on e fee l l et al o n e D i ck

,

,

w h o h ad ever a n d al w ays l ike m os t of h i s co u n try m en , a

,

m i gh ty te nder h eart o f h i s o w n .

D o n t cry m y d arl i n g said D i ck F itzgeral d ; bu t t h e

, ,

M erro w l i ke a ny bol d ch ild onl y cried th e m ore for th at

, ,
.

D ick s at hi mself d o w n b y h er S i de , an d t o o k h ol d o f he r
b an d ,

W
by w ay o f c o m forti n g h er

T H E L A DY O F

T w as i n n o part i cul ar
a n u gl y h and o nly there w as a sm al l w e b b et w ee n t h e n
,

w h ite as th e ski n bet w een egg a n d shel l

,

gers as there i s i n a d u ck s foot ; but t w as as th i n a n d as

h at s you r n a m e m y d arl in g ? says D i ck th i nk in g

to m ake h er co n versant w i th h im ; b u t h e got n o an s w er ;
a nd h e w as certai n sure n o w e ith er that s h e co u l d n ot
Spea k o r d i d n ot u nderstan d h i m : h e t h ere f ore squeeze d
,

h er h and i n h i s as th e o nl y w ay he h ad o f tal k i n g to h er
,

It s th e u n i versal lan gu age ; an d th ere s n ot a w o m an i n th e

w orld be she sh o r l a d y that d oes n ot u nd erstan d i t

,
,

,
,
GOL L E R U S

.
.

.
1 35

Th e M erro w d id n ot see m m uch d is pl eased at th i s m od e

o f co nversati o n ; an d m aki n g an en d o f her w h i n i n g al l at
,

o n ce says s he l ook i n g u p i n D i c k F i tzgeral d s ,

face M an w i l l y ou eat m e ?
, ,

By al l th e red p etti coats and c h eck apron s bet w ee n

D i n gl e a nd Tralee cried D ic k j u m p i n g u p i n a m aze m en t
, , ,
I d as soo n eat

m ysel f m y j e w el ! Is i t I eat y o u m y , ,

pet N o w t w as so m e u gly i l l l ooki n g th ief o f a sh p u t:

? -

that n oti o n i nto yo u r o w n p retty hea d w ith th e n i ce green ,

h ai r do w n U po n i t th at i s s o cl ea nly co m bed o u t th i s m orn

,
3)
i n ga !
r

M an , sai d th e M erro
.

h at w i l l y o u d o w i t h me , w , w

i f y o u w on t eat m e ?

D i c k s th ou ghts w ere ru n n i n g o n a w ife : h e s aw at the

,

rst gl i m p se that she w as hand so m e ; b u t si n ce s h e Spoke

, ,

t o o l i ke any real w o m an h e w as fa i rly i n l o v e ,

T w a s th e n eat w ay sh e cal led h im m an , th at

m atter e n tirely .

F ish says D ic k t r y i n g to S p eak to h er after h er o w n
, ,

sh ort fash i o n ; sh says he h ere s m y W ord fresh an d

, ,

,

f asti n g f o r yo u th i s bl essed m orn i n g th at I l l m ake y o u

, ,

m i stress F itzgeral d before al l th e w orld a n d th at s w hat ,

I l l do .

Never say th e w ord t w i ce says s h e ; I m read y an d

,

w il l i n g to b e yo u rs m i ster F itzgeral d ; b ut sto p , i f y o u

,

pl ease til l I t w ist u p m y h air
,

.

I t w as so m e t i m e be f ore s he h ad settl ed i t en tirely to

h er l ik i n g ; for she guessed I su pp ose that s h e w as goi n g , ,

a m o n g stran gers w h ere s he w oul d be l ooked at Whe n

,
.

th at w as d one , t h e M erro w pu t the co m b i n h er p o cket ,

 1 36 T H E L AD Y O R G OL L E R u s .

an d t h e n b e n t d o w n h er he ad and w h i spe re d so m e w o r d s
t o th e w ater th at w as cl ose t o th e foot o f th e rock .

D i ck s aw th e m ur m u r o f th e w ord s u po n th e t o p o f th e
s e a go i n g o u t t o w ard s the w i d e o c e an j u s t l i ke a breath o f
, ,

w i n d ri p p l i n g al o n g an d says he i n th e greatest w o n d er ;
,

Is i t S pea k i n g y o u are m y d arl i n g to t h e sal t w ater ?
, ,
It s n oth i n g else says sh e q u i te carel essl y

I m just

, ,

sen d i n g w ord h o m e t o m y fathe r n o t to be w a i ti n g bre ak ,

fast fo r m e ; j ust t o keep h im fro m bei n g u n easy i n h is

mind .

A n d w h o s yo ur fath er m
y d u ck ? says D,
i ck .

What ! sa i d t he M erro w d d
i y o u n e ver h ear o f m y,

f ather ? h e s th e k i n g o f th e w aves to be sure !

,
A n d you rsel f th en
i s a real k i n g s d au gh ter ? s ai d
, ,

D i ck O pe n i n g h is t w o eyes to take a ful l an d true su r ve y

,

o f h i s w i fe th at w as t o be .

O h I m n oth i n g el se bu t a m ad e m an w i t h y o u an d a
,

,

k i n g you r fath er ; t o be su re h e h as al l the m on e y th a t s
-

d o w n i n t h e b o tto m o f th e s e a!
M o n ey repeated t h e M erro
w h at s m o n ey ?

,
w ,


Tis n o bad th i n g to h ave w h en o n e w an ts i t

repl i e d ,

D i ck ; a n d m ay be n o w th e shes h av e th e u nderstan d i n g


t o br i n g u p w h atever y o u bi d the m ?

Oh !
y e s s ai d th e
,
M erro w ,
t h ey br i n g m e w h at I

w an t .

T o Speak th e
trut h , t h en sa i d D i ck
t i s a S tr aw
, ,

b e d I h ave at h o m e before y o u an d th at I m th i n k i n g is , ,

,

n o w ays tt i n g f o r a k i n g s d a u gh ter : s o i f t w o ul d n o t be

,

d ispl eas i n g t o y o u j u st t o m e nti on a n i ce feather b e d v t h

, ,
-

a pai r o f n e w blan kets b u t w h at am I tal k i n g abo u t ? m ay

b e y o u h ave n ot su c h th i n gs as bed s d o w n u n der th e w ater ?

By al l m ean s
sai d Sh e ,
M r F i tzgerald plen ty , .

o f beds at y ou r serv i ce I ve fou rtee n o y ster bed s O f m y

.

-

o w n n ot t o m en ti o n o n e j ust pla nt i n g for the rear i n g o f

,

y ou n g o nes .

Y o u h ave ? says D i ck scratch i n g

h is h ead and l ook i n g
,

a l ittl e pu z zled T i s a f eath er bed I w as speaki n g o f

.
-

b ut cl earl y you rs i s the very cu t of a dece nt pla n to h a ve

, ,

bed a n d Sup p er s o h an dy to each oth er that a perso n w h e n ,

t he y d h ave the o n e n eed n e ver ask for th e o t her
,
.

H o w ever bed o r n o b e d , m o n e y o r n o m o ney , D i ck

,
 T H E LA DY O F GOL L E R U S. 1 37

F i tzgeral d d eter m i n ed to m arry the M erro w a n d th e ,

M erro w h ad gi ve n her co n se nt A w ay they w e n t there .

,

fore across th e strand fro m Go lle r u s to B all in r u n n ig

, , ,

w here Father F itzgi bbo n h a p p e ned to be that m orn i n g .

There are t w o w o rds to th i s bargai n D ick F itzgeral d

, ,

s aid h i s Reveren ce l o o k i n g m i gh ty g l u m A nd i s i t a

,

arr y the Lor d p reserve u s lS en d

.

shy o a n yo d ?
w m u m
th e sc al y creat u re h o m e to h er o w n p eopl e th at s m y ad ,

v i ce to y o u w h erever she ca m e fro m
,
.

D i ck h ad the co hu le cn d r iu th i n h i s h a nd an d w as ab o u t ,

to gi ve i t back to th e M erro w w h o l ooked coveto u sly at ,

i t b u t h e tho u gh t fo r a m o m en t a n d th en says h e
, , ,
Pl ase y ou r Revere n ce sh e s a k i ng s da u hter
e g .

If s h e w as th e da u ghter o f f ty k i n gs sai d Fat h er

,

F itz g ibbon I tel l y o u y o u can t m arry h er s he bei n g a

, ,

,

sh .

Please y ou r Revere n ce said D ick agai n i n an u n der , ,

W

ton e s he is as m i l d a n d as bea u ti f u l as the m oon

,
.

I f s h e w as as m i ld an d as beautifu l as th e su n m oon , ,

a n d stars al l p u t togeth er I tel l you D i ck F itzgeral d
, , , ,

sai d th e Priest sta m p i ng h is ri gh t f o ot y o u ca n t m arry

,

h er s h e bei n g a sh !
,
B u t s h e h as al l
t h e go l d th at s d o w n i n t h e s e a o nl y

f o r th e aski n g a n d I m a m ade m an i f I m arry her ; an d
,

,

sai d D i ck l ook i n g u p Sl ily I can m ake i t w orth any o ne s

,

,

h i l e to d o t h e j o b .

O h ! th at al ters th e case en ti rely repl i ed th e P riest ; ,
w h
y there s so m e
reaso n n o w i n w h at
y o u sa : w h
y y
d id n t y o u tel l m e th i s b e fo r e P m arry h er by al l m ea ns

if s he w as te n t i m es a sh M o n e y you k n o w i s n ot to
.
, ,

be refused i n these bad ti m es an d I m ay as w el l h ave th e ,

h a nsel o f i t as a n other that m ay he w o u l d n ot take h al f

,

th e pai n s i n co u nsel l i n g y o u as I h ave d o ne .

S o Father F i tzgi b bo n m arried D ick F itzgeral d to th e

M erro w a n d l i ke a n y l o v i n g C ou p le th ey ret u rned to Gol
, ,

l e r u s w el l p leased w ith eac h other E very th i n g p ros p ered .

w i th D ick h e w as at the s u n ny si d e o f th e w orl d ; th e

M erro w m a d e th e best of w ives an d they l i ved to gether ,

i n th e grea test co nte nt m e n t .

I t w as w onderfu l to see con s i der i n g w here sh e h ad bee n

,

brou ght u p h o w sh e w oul d busy h ersel f a b ou t th e h o u se

, ,
1 38 T HE LA DY OF GOL L E R u s .

an d ho w el l s h e n u rsed th e c h il d r e n ; f o r at the e nd o f
w ,

th ree years th ere w ere as m any you n g F itzgeral ds t w o

,

b oys and a gi rl .

I n sh ort D i ck w as a h appy m an a n d s o h e m i g h t h av e
, ,

c o nti n ued to th e e n d o f h i s d ays if h e h ad o n ly the se n se ,

t o t ake proper care o f w h at h e h ad go t; m a n y a n ot h er m an ,

h o w ever bes i de D i ck has n o t h ad w it e n o u gh to d o that
, ,
.

O n e d ay w h e n D i ck w as o bl i ged t o go to Tralee h e l eft ,

h i s w ife m i nd i n g th e c h i ld re n at h o m e after h i m an d
, ,

th i n k i ng s he had ple n ty t o d o w i tho u t d i sturb i n g his s h

i n g tackle .

D ick w as no soo n er gon e th a n M r s F i t z geral d s e t abou t .

c l ean i n g u th e h ou se an d c ha n c i n g to pu l l do w n a s h i n
p , g
n e t w h at sh o u l d s h e n d beh i n d i t i n a h ole i n t h e w al l
,

b u t he r o w n co hu le e n dr iu th:
S h e took i t o u t an d l ooked at i t an d t h e n s h e t h ou g h t ,

o f h e r fath e r the k i n g an d h er m oth er th e q ue e n an d h er

, ,

broth ers an d s i sters a n d s he fel t a l o n gi n g t o go back t o

,

t hem .

S he s at d o w n o n a l i ttl e st o ol an d t h ou gh t o ver th e h ap p y
d ays s he h ad spen t Un d er th e s e a ; t h e n s he l ook ed at h er
c h i ldren a n d th ou gh t o n th e l ove an d a ffecti o n o f p oo r
,

D ick an d h o w i t w o ul d break h i s h e art to l ose he r
,
Bu t .
,

s ays s h e h e w o n t l ose m e e nt i rel y for I l l c o m e back t o

, ,

h i m ag ai n ; a n d w h o can bl a m e m e for go i n g to s e e m y f a

t h er a n d m y m oth er after be i n g s o l o n g a w ay fro m th e m
, .

S h e go t u p an d w e n t t o w ar d s th e d oo r b u t c am e back
'

agai n to l ook o n ce m ore at th e ch i l d th at w as sl eep i n g i n

th e cra d le S h e k issed i t gentl y an d as s h e k issed i t a
.
, ,

tear tre m bled fo r a n i n stan t i n h er eye a n d the n fel l o n i ts

rosy cheek S h e w i p ed a w ay th e tear a n d tu rn i n g to the
.
,

el d est l i ttle gi rl told h er to take good care o f h er b r oth ers

, ,

a n d to be a good ch i l d h ersel f u nti l s h e ca m e back Th e

M erro w t he n w e n t d o w n to th e stran d Th e s e a w as l yi n g
, .

cal m an d s m o oth j u st h eavi n g a nd gl itteri n g i n the SUn

, ,

an d s he th o u gh t sh e h eard a fai n t s w eet s i n gi n g i n v i ti n g ,

h e r to co m e d o w n A ll h er o l d i deas an d feel i n gs ca m e
.

ood i n g o ver h er m i n d D ic k a n d h e r ch i ld ren w ere at th e

,

i n stan t forgotten an d plac i n g th e co hu le e n dr iu lh o n h e r

,

h ead s h e pl u n ge d i n
,

D ic k ca m e h o me i n th e eve n i n g a n d m i ssi n g h i s w ife , ,

h e asked K athe lin , h i s l ittl e girl , w h at h ad beco m e o f he r

 F L O RY C A N T IL L ON s F

UN E R A L . 1 39
m oth er , b ut s he co u l d n o t tel l h im He th en i n qu i red o f .

th e nei gh bours and h e l earned th at s h e w as see n goi n g

,

to w ar d s th e stran d w i t h a stran ge l ooki n g th i n g l ike a

cocked h at i n her han d H e return ed to h is cab i n to search
.

f o r th e co hu le e n dr iu th I t w as go ne a nd th e tr u th n o w
.

ash ed u p o n h i m .

Year a fter year d id D i ck F itzgeral d w ai t e x pecti n g th e ,

ret u r n o f h is w i fe b u t he never s aw her m ore D i ck n e ver

, .

m arrie d a gai n al w a y s th i n ki ng that t h e M erro w w o u l d

,

soo ner o r later ret u rn to h i m an d n oth i n g co u ld ever p e r ,

suade h i m b u t that her fath er th e ki n g ke p t her bel o w b y

m ai n force ;
For sa y s D ick s h e s u rely w oul d n o t o f

, ,

hersel f gi ve u p her h u s b an d an d h er ch i l d ren .

W h il e she w as w i th hi m s he w as s o good a w i fe i n e very

,

res pect th at to th i s d ay she i s spoke n o f i n th e tra d i tio n of

, ,

th e cou ntr y as the pattern for o n e , u nder th e n a m e O f T H E

L A DY O F GO L L E R U S .

FL O R Y C A N T I LLO N S F UN E R AL

.

) I II III .

TH E an c i en t b ur i al p lace o f th e Canti l l o n fa m ily w as o n

-

an i slan d i n B ally h e igh Bay Th i s i slan d w as sit u ated at .

n o great d i stan ce f ro m the sh ore a n d at a re m ote p eri o d ,

w as o v e r o w e d i n o n e o f the e n croach m en ts w h i ch th e

A tlantic h as m a d e o n that p art o f th e coast O f K erry Th e .

sher m e n d eclare the y h ave o ften seen th e r u i ned w al ls o f

a n o ld cha p el b eneath the m i n the w ater as the y s ailed ,

over th e cl ear gree n s e a o f a s u n n y aftern oo n ,

H o w ever .
"e

Th e n e i ghb o r in g i n h ab it an t s s ays D r S m i th i

u hi s H is
, .
, n

t o r y o f K e rr y s p e ak i n g f B al l y h e i gh
, o Sh o w s o m e r o c k s v i s ib l e in
,

th i s b ay o n l y at l o w t i d e s , w h ic h , th e y s ay , ar e th e re m ai n s o f an
i s l an d , t hat w as f o r m e r y t h e b u r ial p l ac e o f t h e f ami
l -
l C
y o f an t l lo n , i
c t i t
t he an ie n pr o pr e o rs Of B allyh e igh

p 2 1 0 . . .
1 40 FL O RY C AN TIL L N S F N E R A L
O

U .

t h i s m ay be , i t i s w el l k n o w n t h a t t h e C an t i l l o n s w ere lik e ,

m ost other Ir i sh fa m i l ies stro ngl y at t ach ed to t h e i r an ci e n t

,

b u rial pl ac e ; an d th i s attach m e n t l ed to th e custo m w he n ,

a ny o f th e fa m i ly d i ed O f carry i n g th e cor p se t o th e s e a
,

s ide w here th e c o i n w as l eft o n the sh ore w i th i n reac h o f

,

the ti de I n th e m orn i n g i t h ad d isa p peared bei ng as w as

.
, ,

trad iti onal ly bel ieve d co n veyed a w ay by t h e an cestor s o f

,

th e de c eased to the i r fa m i ly to m b .

C o n nor Cro w e a cou n ty C l are m an w as related t o th e

, ,

C ant i l lo ns by m arri age C o n n or M ac i n C r u agh p f th e

.
,

s eve n q u arters o f B r e i n t r agh as h e w as co m m o n ly called
, ,

an d a pro u d m an h e w as o f th e n a m e C o n n or be i t .
,

k n o w n w o u l d d ri n k a quart o f sal t w ater for i ts m ed i ci n a l

, ,

v i rtues b efore bre akfast ; a n d for th e sa m e reaso n I Su p

, , ,

pose doubl e th at qua ntity o f r aw w h i sky bet w ee n break

,

f ast a n d n i ght w h i c h l ast h e d i d w i th as l i ttle i n c o n v e n i

,

e n c e to h i m sel f as an y m an i n th e baro ny o f M o y fe r ta; an d

w ere I to ad d Clan d e r al aw an d Ib r ic k an I d o n t th i n k I

,

s h o ul d s ay w ro n g .

O n th e d eath o f F l oren ce Canti l lo n C o n n or Cro w e w as ,

d e t e r m l n e d to satis f y h i m se l f abo u t th e tr u th o f th i s story

o f th e o ld ch urch u nder the s e a: s o w he n h e heard th e ne w s

o f the O l d fel lo w s death a w ay w i th h i m to A r d f ert w here

, ,

F l ory w as l aid o u t i n h igh sty le , a n d a beautifu l corpse h e

m ad e .

F l ory h ad bee n as j ol l y a n d as rol l ock i n g a boy i n h i s

d ay as e ver w as stretched a n d h is w ake w as i n e very r e,

spect w orth y o f hi m T here w as al l k i n d o f e n terta i n m e n t

.

an d all sort o f d i vers i o n at i t a nd n o l ess th an th ree gi rl s ,

got h u s b a n ds th ere m ore l u c k to th e m E v ery th i n g .

w as as i t sh oul d be : al l that s i d e of t he co u n try fro m D i n ,

gle to Tarbet w as at th e fu neral The Kee n w as su n g l on g

,
.

an d bitterl y ; a nd ac cord i n g to the fa m i ly custo m the co fn

, ,

w as carri ed to B al l h e i h stra nd w h ere i t w as l a i d Up o n

y g ,

th e shore w i th a prayer for th e repose Of th e dead .

Th e m ou rners departed o n e gro u p after an oth er a n d at

, ,

l ast Co n no r C ro w e w as l eft al o n e : h e the n p u ll ed o u t h i s

w h isky bottle h is d ro p of c o m fort as h e called i t w h i c h
, ,

h e req u i red bei n g i n gr i ef; an d d o w n h e s at Upon a b ig

,

sto ne that w as sh el tered by a proje cti n g rock an d partl y ,

c o n cealed fro m v i e w to a w a i t w i th pat i e n ce t h e appearan ce

,

o f t he h ostl y u nd e rtak e r
g s .
 F LORY C A N TI LL O N
S F U NE R A L . 141

The even i n g ca m e o n m i l d an d beau ti fu l ; he w h i stl ed a n

Ol d ai r w h i c h h e h ad h eard i n h i s ch i ld h ood hO p i n g t o ,

kee p i d le fears o u t o f h is hea d ; b u t th e w i ld strai n o f th at

m el ody b ro u gh t a th o u sand recol le cti o n s w i t h i t w h ic h , ,

o nly m a d e the t w i l igh t a pp ear m ore p en si ve .

If t w as n e ar th e

g l oo m y to w er o f D u n m ore i n m y o w n ,

s w eet co u nty I w as sai d C o n nor Cro w e w ith a s i gh
, , , ,
o n e m i gh t w el l bel ieve th at the pri soners w h o w ere m u r
,

dered l on g ago there i n the va u l ts u n der th e castle w o u l d

, ,

b e the h an d s to carr y o ff the co f n o u t o f e n vy fo r n ever ,

a o n e o f the m w as b u r ied d ecentl y n o r had as m u ch as a ,

v
co f n a m on gst the m all T is often s u re en o u gh I h ave
.
, ,

h eard l a m e ntations a n d great m o u rn i n g co m i n g f ro m the

vaul ts o f D u n m ore Castl e ; b u t co nti n u ed b e after fon d , ,

ly pressi n g h i s l i p s to th e m ou th o f h i s co m pa n i o n an d
si le n t co m forter the w h i sky b ottl e
,
d i d n t I k n o w all ,

the t i m e w el l e no u gh t w as the d is m al sou nd i n g w aves

,

w ork i n g th ro u gh th e cl i ffs an d h oll o w s o f the r o ck s a n d ,

f retti n g the m sel ves to foa m O h then , D u n m ore Castl e i t

.
,

i s you that are the glo o m y J o o k i n g to w er o n a gl oo m y d ay,

w ith the gl oo m y h i lls beh i n d you
; w h e n o ne h as gloo m y
th ough ts o n their h eart a nd sees y o u l ike a gh ost ri s i n g
,
o u t o f th e s m ok e m ade b th e k el burners o n th e strand
y p
-
,

there is th e Lor d save u s ! as fear f u l a l ook abo u t y o u as

,

abou t th e Bl u e M an s Lake at m i d n i gh t Wel l th en a ny

.
,

ho w , said C on n or a f te r a p au se i s i t n o t a bl essed n i gh t ,
,

,

tho u g h su rel y the m oo n l ooks m i gh ty p al e i n the f ace ? S t .

S en an h i m sel f bet w ee n u s a nd all ki nd s o f har m !
It w as i n tr u th a l ovel y m oo nl i gh t n i g h t ; n oth i n g w as
,

t o be see n aro u n d b u t th e dark rocks an d the w h ite pe b bly ,

beach U po n w h ich th e s e a broke w ith a h oarse an d m e

,

lanc h o ly m u r m u r C o n n or n ot w i thstan d i n g h i s frequen t

.
,

dra u ghts felt rath er q u eeris h a n d al m ost bega n to re p en t

, ,

h i s c u r i osity It w as certain l y a sol e m n si g h t to behol d

.

the black co fn resti n g u p o n the w h ite stra n d H i s i m a .

i nat i n grad u al ly co n v erte d the dee m o am n o f O ld oc e an

g o p g
i nto a m o u rn fu l w ai l fo r th e dead , a n d fro m the sh a d o w y
recesses of the rocks he i m age d fort h stran ge an d v i sionary

Ast h e n i gh t ad van ced , Co n n or beca m e w eary o f w atch

i ng ; h e cau gh t h i m sel f m ore tha n o nce i n th e fact o f n o d

 1 42 F LOR Y C A N T I LL O N
S F UN E R A L .

d i n g w h e n s u dden l y g i v i n g h is h ead a S h ake h e w oul d

, ,

l ook to w ards th e bl ack c o i n B u t the n arro w h o use o f .

d eat h re m ai ned u n m oved before h i m .

I t w as l on g past m i d n i gh t a n d th e m o o n w as s i n k i n g
,

i nto th e s e a w h en h e h eard th e so u n d O f m an y v o i ces

, ,

w h ic h grad ual l y beca m e stro n ger abo ve t h e h eavy an d ,

m o noton ou s rol l o f th e s e a: h e l iste n ed a n d p rese n tl y cou l d ,

d isti n gu i sh a K een o f exq u isite s w eetness th e n otes o f

, ,

w h i c h rose a n d f el l w i th th e h eav i n g O f th e w aves w h o se ,

d ee p m u r m u r m i n gled w i th an d sup p orted th e strai n !

Th e Keen gre w l ou der an d l ou der an d see m ed t o ap ,

proac h th e beach an d th e n fel l i n to a l o w plai nti ve w a il

, .

A s i t en ded C o n n or behel d a n u m ber o f stra n ge a n d i n

, ,

th e d im l i g h t m y ster i ous l ook i n g gures e m erge fro m t he

,
-
,

s e a, an d surrou n d th e co f n , w h i c h they prepared to l au nc h

W
i nto th e w ater .

o f m arry i n g w i t h t h e creatu res o f ear th ,
Th is co m es

s a i d o n e o f th e gures i n a cl ear yet h ol l o w to n e

, ,
.

Tru e
, r epl ied a nother w i th a vo i ce sti l l m ore fearful
, ,
o u r k i n g w oul d n ever hav e co m m and ed h i s gn a w i n g

w h ite toothed w aves t o d e vo ur th e rock y roots o f t he

-

i s la n d ce m etery h ad n o t h i s d au gh ter, D ur f ul la, bee n b u

,
:

r i e d th ere b y h er m ortal h u sban d !


B u t t h e t im e w i l l co m e, sa i d a t h i rd , be n d i n g O v e r
th e c o fn ,

h e n m o r tal e ye o u r w o rk s h all s p y
A n d m o r t al e ar o u r d i rg e s hal l b e ar
,

.

T h e n sai d a f ou rth
,
b ur i al o f t h e C ant i l lo n s is
,
o ur

at a n en d fo r e ver !
A s th i s w as spoke n th e co fn w as bor n e fro m t h e be ach
by a retir i n g w ave an d the co m pan y o f s e a people prepar e d
,

t o fol l o w i t ; b u t at th e m o m en t o n e ch an ced to d i scov e r

C o n n or Cro w e , as xed w it h w on der an d as m ot i o n less
w i th fear as th e ston e o n w h i ch h e s at .

Th e t i m e i s co m e cried th e u n earth ly be i n g t h e
,

,

ti me is co m e : a h u m an eye l oo k s o n t h e for m s o f o ce an a ,

h u m a n ear has heard th e ir v o ices ; fare w el l to th e Ca n ti l

l o n s ; th e so ns o f th e s e a are n o l on ger d oo m ed to bu ry th e ,

d u st o f th e earth
O ne afte r t he ot h e r tur n ed sl o w ly rou n d , an d r egard e d
 T HE L O R D O F D UN K E R R O N . 1 43

C on nor C ro w e w h o stil l re m a i ned as i f bou n d by a Spel l

, .

A gai n arose th eir fu n eral son g ; and o n t h e next w av e th ey

fol lo w ed th e co fn Th e sou n d o f th e l a m en tati o n d ie d
.

a w ay an d at l en gth n oth i n g w as h eard b u t th e rush o f

,

w aters Th e co fn an d t h e trai n o f s e a p eopl e san k over

.

the o ld ch u rc h yard an d n ever si n ce th e fu neral o f o l d

-
, ,

F lory Cantil lo n h ave an y o f th e fa m i ly been c arr i ed to t h e

,

s tran d o f B al ly he igh for co n veyance to th e i r r i ghtfu l b u

,

rial place , beneath th e w aves o f t h e A tla n ti c

-
.

W T H E L O RD OF D UN KE R R O N

XX I V
T H E l ord o f D u n k e r r o n O S ull i van M ore ,
"

hy seeks h e at m i d n i ght th e sea beate n sh ore ?

.

H is bark l ies i n h ave n h i s h o u n ds are asl ee p ;

No foes are abroad o n th e l an d o r the deep

Yet n igh tl y th e l ord o f D u n k e r r o n i s k n o w n

O n th e w i ld sh ore to w atch an d to w and er al o n e ;
F o r a bea u ti f u l s p iri t o f ocean ti s said ,

-

,
.

Th e l ord o f D u n k e r r o n w o u l d w i n to h is bed .

T he i C
D un k e r r o n as tl e ar e d i s t an t ab o u t a mil e f ro m
r e ma n s o f
t he v ill age o f K e n m ar e , in t h e c o u n ty o f K e r ry I t i s r e c o r de d t o
h av e b e e n b u ilt i n 1 59 6 , b y O w e n O s ullivan M o r e [ M or e , is
.

me re ly an e p ithe t s ign i fy i ng t he Gr e at ] .
1 44 T HE LO R D OF D U N K E R R O N .

Wh e n by m oon li g h t th e w ater s w er e h ush d to r e p o se ,

, ,

T hat beauti fu l Sp iri t o f ocea n arose ;

H er h ai r f u l l O f l u stre j ust oated an d fel l
, ,

O er h er boso m , th at he aved w ith a bi l lo w y s w el l

Lon g l o n g h ad h e l oved h er l on g va i n l y e s s ay d
,

T o l u re fro m h er d w el l i n g th e c o y ocea n m a id ;

A n d l o n g h ad h e w an d e r d a n d w at c h d by t he tid e ,

T o cl a i m th e fai r sp ir i t O s ull i va n s bride !

T h e m aide n s he gazed o n th e creature o f eart h ,

W h ose voi ce i n h er breast t o a feel i n g gave b i rt h ;

Th e n s m il ed ; and abash ed as a m a i de n m i gh t be
, ,

W
Look i n g d o w n , ge nt ly s a n k to h er h o m e i n th e s e a .

Th ou g h gen tl e th at s m i l e as th e m oo nl i g h t abov e ,
,

O Su l li v an fel t t w as th e d a w n i n g o f l o ve


,

A n d h O p e ca m e o n h ope S p read i n g o ve r h i s m i n d ,
,

L i ke the eddy o f c i rcles h er w ake left beh i n d .

W
Th e l ord o f D u n k e r r o n h e pl u n ged i n th e w av es ,

A n d sou gh t th rou g h th e erce r u sh o f w aters the i r c av e s ; ,

T h e gl oo m o f w h ose d e p t h stu d ded o ver w i t h Spars,

H ad th e gl itter o f m id n igh t w h en l i t u p by stars .

W
can tel l o r can fan cy t h e treasures that sleep ,
ho
E n to m bed i n the w o nderfu l w o m b o f th e d eep ?
Th e pearl s a n d th e ge m s as if val uel ess th ro w n
, ,

T o l ie m i d the s e a w rack co n ceale d an d u n k n o w n

-
.

D o w n d o w n w e n t th e m aid st i l l th e ch i eftai n p ursued ;

, ,

h o ies m ust be fol lo w ed ere s h e c an be w ooed .

U n te m pted by treasu res u n a w ed by al ar m s

, ,

Th e m a i de n at len gth h e h as clasped i n h is ar m s !

T hey rose fro m th e deep by a s m ooth spread i n g strand , -

h e n ce beau ty an d ver d u re s tr e t c h d o ver th e l an d

.

T w as a n i sle o f e n ch a nt m e nt ! an d l i gh tly th e breeze ,

i t h a m us i cal m u r m u r, j ust crept t h roug h t he tr e es ;

 THE LO R D O F D UN K E R R O N . 1 45

Th e h aze w ove n Sh rou d o f that n e w ly born i sl e,

-

S o ftl y faded a w ay f ro m a m agi cal p ile

, ,

A p al ace o f cr y s t al w h ose b ri gh t bea m i n g shee n

,
-

H ad the ti nts o f the rai n b o w red yel lo w an d gree n

, ,
.

A nd grottoes fa ntast i c i n h ue an d i n for m ,

Were there as u n g u p the w i ld Sp ort o f th e stor m ;

,

Yet all w as s o cl o u d less so l ovely a n d cal m

, , ,

It see m ed b u t a re gio n o f su n sh i n e an d bal m .

Here h ere sh al l w e d w el l i n a d rea m of del i ght ,

,

Where the g l ories o f earth and o f ocean u n ite !

Yet l o ved s o n o f earth ! I m u st fro m thee a w ay ;
,
!
Th ere are l aw s w h i ch e e n Sp i rits a re bou n d to o bey

O nce m ore m u st I v i si t th e ch i ef o f m y race ,

H i s sa ncti o n to gai n ere I m eet thy e m b race .

I n a m o m e n t I d i ve to the c h a m bers beneat h :

O ne ca u se c an detai n m e o ne O nly t is d eat h !

They parted i n sorro w w ith v o w s true a nd f ond ;

,

Th e lan gu a ge o f p ro m i se h ad n oth i n g beyo n d .

H is so u l al l o n re w i th an x iety b u rn s :
,

The m o m e n t i s go ne b ut n o m aide n return s .

What so u n d s fro m th e dee p m eet h i s terried ear

What accents o f ra ge an d o grief d oes h e hear
f ?

W hat sees he ? w hat chan g e h as co m e over the ood

Wh at ti n ges its gree n w ith a jetty o f blood ?

C an h e d o u bt w h at th e g u sh o f w ar m bl ood w oul d e x pl a i n ?
That s he so u gh t th e co nse nt O f her m onarch i n v al n !
F or s e e al l aro u n d h i m i n w h ite f oa m an d froth
, ,

Th e w aves o f th e ocean boi l u p i n their w ro th !

Th e pal ace o f crystal h as m el ted i n ai r ,

A n d the d yes o f th e rai nbo w n o l o n ger are there ;

Th e grottoes w ith vapour an d cl ou d s are o e r c as t,

The su nsh i ne i s d ark ness t he v i s i o n h as past !

m

1 3
1 46 T HE W O N D E R F UL
L o u d, l o u d w as t h e cal l o f h i s s e r fs for t h e i r ch i ef;
T h ey sou gh t h i m w i th accen ts o f w a i l i n g a n d grief :
He h eard a n d h e stru ggl ed a w ave to th e s h or e ,
TU NE .

W
,

E x h au sted a n d fa i nt , bears O s ul l i va n M ore !

T HE O N D E R F UL T UN E .

XX V .

M AU R I C E C O NN O R w as t h e k i n g an d th at s n o s m al l ,

w o r d o f al l th e pi pers i n M u nster
, He c o u l d pl ay j i g a n d
.

pl anxty w i thou t e n d an d O llis t r u m s M arch an d th e E a

,

,

gl e s Wh i stle an d th e He n s C o n cert a n d o d d tu n es o f

,

,

e very sort an d k i n d B u t h e k n e w o n e far m ore s u r

.
,

pri si n g th a n th e rest w h i c h h ad i n i t th e po w er to s e t
,

e very th i n g dead or al i ve d an c i n g .

I n W h at w ay h e l e arn ed i t i s beyo n d m y k n o w l ed ge f o r ,

h e w as m igh ty cau ti o us abou t tel l i n g ho w h e ca m e b y s o

w o n derfu l a tu n e A t th e very rst n ote o f th at tu n e t h e
.
,

b rog u es began sh ak i n g u po n the f eet o f al l w h o hear d it

o ld o r yo u n g i t m attered n o t j u st as i f the i r brogues h ad
th e ag u e ; th e n th e f eet bega n go i n g go i n g go i n g fro m a

u n der th e m an d at l ast u a n d a w ay w ith the m d an c i n g

, p ,

l i ke m ad w h i sk i n g h ere there an d every w h ere l i ke a

, , ,

stra w i n a stor m there w as n o h al ti n g w h i l e the m u s i c

l asted !
N o t a fai r n o r a w edd i n g n o r a patro n l n th e seve n
, ,

pari shes ro u n d w as cou nted w orth th e s p eak i n g o f w ithou t

,

bl i n d M a u ri ce an d h i s p ipes
H is m oth e r poor w o m a n
.
, ,

u sed to le ad hi m a b out f ro m o n e pl ace to another j ust l ike ,

a do g
D o w n t h r o u gh Iverag h a pl ace th at o ugh t to be prou d
.
 of
THE W O NDER
i tself for ti s Dan i el O Co n n e ll s co u ntry M au r i ce
,

Con n or an d h is m other w ere tak i n g the i r rou nds B eyo n d

al l oth er pl aces Iveragh i s the p l ace f o r stor m y coast a n d

FU L TU

NE .

.
1 47

steep m o u ntai n s : as pro p er a s p ot i t i s as an y i n Irel an d to

get yo u rsel f d ro w ned o r y ou r n ec k b roken o n th e l an d ,
,

Sh o u l d y ou p re f er th at B u t n ot w i th stand i n g i n B al li n s
.
, ,

k e llig b ay there i s a n eat b i t o f grou n d w el l tted f o r d i ,

v ersi o n a n d d o w n fro m i t to w ards th e w ater i s a clea n

, ,

s m ooth p i ece o f stra nd th e dead i m age O f a cal m s u m m er s

s e a o n a m oonl i gh t n i gh t w ith j u st the c u rl o f the s m al l

,

w aves U po n i t .

Here i t w as th at M a u rice s m usi c h ad bro u gh t f ro m al l

parts a great g atheri n g o f the you n g m e n an d th e y o u n g

w o m e n 0 the d ar lin tS I for t w as n ot e very day th e

stran d o f T r afr as k a w as stirred u p by th e vo i ce o f a bag

p ipe Th e da n ce began ; an d as pretty a r i n k afad d a i t w as
.

as ever w as dan ced Brav e m u si c sa i d every b ody ,
.
,
an d w el l d one w he n M auri ce stopped .
,

M ore po w er to your el bo w , M au r i ce , an d a fai r w i n d

i n th e bel lo w s cried P addy D or m an a h u m p backe d
, ,
-

dan ci n g m aster w h o w as there to keep order

-
,
Ti s a .

p i ty sai d h e i f w e d l et the pi per ru n dry after su c h
,

,

m u si c ; t w oul d be a d i sgrace to I veragh th at d i d n t co m e

,

o n i t s i n ce th e w eek o f th e th ree S u n days S o as w el l .
,

beca m e h im for h e w as al w ays a d ece n t m an , says h e :

,
D i d you dr i nk piper ?
,
I w i l l s ir says M auri ce ans w er i n g th e q uesti o n
, , on ,

t h e safe s ide for yo u n ever yet k ne w piper o r sch ool m aster

,

w h o re f u sed h i s dri n k .

Wh at w i l l y o u d ri nk M aur i ce ? sa y s P add y, .

I m n o w ays particular

says M au r i ce ; I d r i n k an y

,

th i n g an d gi ve Go d than ks barr i n g r aw w ater ; b u t if ti s

, ,

al l th e sa m e to y o u m ister D or m an m ay be y o u w oul d n t

, ,

l en d m e th e l oa n o f a gl ass o f w h i skey .

I ve n o glass M auri ce sa i d Paddy

I ve o nly t h e
, ; ,

bottl e .

Let th at be n o h i ndran ce ans w ered M aur i ce m

; , y
m out h j ust hol ds a glass to th e drop ; O ften I v e t ri ed i t,

su re
S o Pa d dy Dor m a n truste d h im w i t h th e bottl em ore
.

fool w as h e ; and , to h i s c ost , h e fou n d t h at thou gh M au

1 48

r
T HE W
O N D E R L T UN
i ce s m ou t h m i gh t n o t h ol d m ore th a n t h e gl ass at o n e

ti m e y et o w i n g to th e h ol e i n h is th roat , i t too k m a ny a
lli n g
, ,
FU E.

'
n o bad w h isky n ei th er says M aur i ce h an d
I h at w as ,

,

i n g back th e e m p ty bottl e .

By th e h oly frost th en ! says P ad d y t is b u t co w ld

, ,

co m fort there s i n th at bottl e n o w ; a nd ti s y o u r w ord w e

m u st take for th e stren gth o f th e w h isky for y o u ve l eft

,

s u re M aur i ce h ad

u s n o sa m pl e t o j ud ge b : an d t be
y o

not .

N I n eed n ot tell a ny gen tl e m a n o r l a d y w ith c o m

ow

m o n u n d erstand i n g th at if h e o r s h e w as t o d ri n k an h o
,

n est bottle o f w h iskey at o n e pu ll i t i s n o t at al l th e sa m e ,

th i n g as d ri n ki n g a bottl e o f w ater ; a n d i n th e W h ol e co urse

of m l ife I n e ver k ne w m ore t h a n ve m e n w h o co u l d
y ,

d o s o w i th ou t bei n g o vertake n b y t h e l i qu or O f th es e .

M aurice Co n n or w as n o t o n e th o u gh h e h ad a sti ff h ead

e n ou g h o f h i s o w n h e w as f a irly tipsy
,

D o n t th i nk I .

bla m e h im fo r i t ; tis ofte n a goo d m a n s case ; b u t true is

t h e w ord th at say s W h e n l i quor s i n, sen se i s o u t ; an d

,

p u ff at a breath before y o u co uld s ay Lo r d s av e u s !
, ,

o u t h e blasted h i s w o n derfu l tu n e .

T w as real ly th e n beyo n d all bel i ef o r tel l i n g t h e d an c i n g
M au ri ce h i m sel f c o u l d n o t keep q u iet ; staggeri n g n o w o n
o n e le n o w o n th e o ther an d ro l l i n g abou t l i ke a sh i p i n
g , ,

a cross s e a, try i n g t o h u m o ur th e tu n e T here w as his .

m othe r too m o v i n g h er o l d bon es as l i gh t as the yo u n ges t

,

g i rl o f the m al l ; b ut her dan ci n g n o n or th e da n ci n g o f all , ,

t he rest i s n ot w ort h y th e s p eak i n g about t o th e w ork th a t

,

w as go i n g o n d o w n o n the stran d E very i n ch o f i t c o .

v ered w i t h al l m an n er o f s h j u m p i n g a n d pl u n g i n g abou t
t o th e m us ic an d every m o m e n t m ore an d m ore w ou l d
,

tu m bl e i n o u t o f the w ater ch ar m ed by the w o nderfu l ,

tu n e C rabs o f m o n stro u s s ize Sp u n rou n d an d rou n d o n

.

o ne cla w w ith th e n i m bleness o f a dan ci n g m aster an d -

,

t w i r l ed a n d tossed th e ir oth er cla w s abo u t l ike l i m bs tha t

d id n ot bel on g to th e m It w as a S i gh t sur p risi n g to b e
.

h o ld B u t p erhaps yo u m ay h ave heard o f father F l ore nc e

.

C o n ry a F ra n cisca n Fri ar a n d a great I r ish p oet ; b o lg an

,

d i me , as the y u se d to cal l h i ma w al let o f poe m s

,

If y o u .

h ave n o t h e w as as pleasa n t a m an as o n e w oul d w i s h t o

 T HE W ON D E R F UL T U N E

dri n k w i t h o f a h ot su m m er s day ; an d h e h as rhy m e d o u t

all ab o ut th e dan ci n g s hes s o neatl y t hat i t w o ul d be a

th o u sa n d pities n o t t o gi ve y o u h is verses ; s o here s m y
,
.

1 49

h an d at an U pset o f th e m i nto E ngl ish :

T he b ig s a s in m o t o n ,
e l i
i ve
L k e w a s o f t he o e an , c
y
O r g o u t f e t p r an c in g , e
h i
C am e e ad n g t he g ay s h,
b lb
C r a s , o s t e rs , an d r a s h, c y
t
D e e r m i n e d o n d an n g ci .

T he s w e e t s o u n ds t e f o llo w d , hy

T he g as p i n g c o d s w allo w d ;

T
w as w o n d e r f u , r e a ! l lly
b
A n d t u r o t an d o un de r ,

h
M id s h t at w e r e r o u n de r ,
J us t c ap e r d as g aily

.

h i c
J o n d o r e s ame t r i pp in g ;
-

ll
D u h ak e , by h i
t e r s k ipp i n g
T o fr i s

ki
t s e e m d gl ve n ;
ck l
B r i g ht m a e r e w e n t s pr i n g i ng ,
ll i b
Li k e s m a r a n o w s w i n g i n g
Th i e r fli ght u p t o e a e n h v .

T he w t
h i in g h ad d o k an d c
Le f t t t
e r p ad d o c k ,
s al w a -

Thi s d an ce
t o b e p ut in :
Wh kt i
e re s a e w t h at f ac e s

e l
E dg e d o u t s o m o dd p ai c e s ;
B ut s o s k e p le t thei
r fo o n ti g .

h i
S pr ats an d e r r n g s in p o w e rs
Of s i lv y h
e r s o w e rs
b
A ll n u m e r o u t n u m b e r d ;

-

l hy
A n d g r e at l in g s o e n gt
W h h
e r e t e r e in s u c p leynt ,

h
T he s o r e w as e n c u m b e r d

.

Th e c ll p d y te
s o o an o s r
T he i r h ell did i te
tw o s s ro s r,

L ik c t e t ti g ;
as an e s t n

W h il e li mp t m v d cl e ly e s o e ar
c k v e y e ly
,

A d
n ro s r n ar
W i t h l g h te e e plitti g
au r w r s n .

13*
 1 50 T H E W O N D R U L T UN E
E F .

N ever w as su ch a n u llab ul lo o i n th i s w orl d be fo re o r ,

s i nce ; t w as as i f h eave n and earth w ere co m i n g together ;

an d al l o u t o f M au ri ce C o n n or s w o nd erfu l t u n e !

I n th e h ei g h t o f all th ese d o i n gs w h at sh oul d there b e

,

d an c i ng a m o n g th e ou tl and i sh s e t o f shes bu t a beauti fu l

y ou n g w o m a n as beauti fu l as th e d a w n o f d ay ! S h e had
a c o o k e d h at u po n h er h ead ; fro m u nd er i t h er l o n g g ree n
h a ir j u st th e col ou r o f the s e a fel l d o w n beh i n d w i t hou t ,

h i n derance to her d an ci n g Her tee t h w ere l ike ro w s o f

.

pearl ; h er l i ps for al l the w o rld l ooked l i ke red cor al ; an d

s h e h ad a n e legan t o w n as w h i te as t h e fo a m o f th e w ave
g , ,

W
w i t h l i ttl e ro w s o f u r l e a n d red sea w ee d s set t led o u t
p p
-

u pon i t ; for y o u n ev er yet s aw a lad y u n d e r th e w ate r o r ,

o ver th e w ater w h o h ad n ot a good n o ti o n o f d ressi n g her

,

sel f o ut.

U p sh e d a n ced at last to M aur i ce w h o w as i n gi n g his

f eet fro m u nder h i m as fast as h ops fo r n o t h i n g i n t h i s
,

w orl d cou l d keep stil l w h il e t h at tu n e o f h is w as goi n g o n

- a n d says she t o h im, c hau nti n g it o u t w i th a v o ice as
s w eet as h o n ey

I m a l ady o f o n o u r

h
ho l iv
e i n t he s e a ;
C o me d o w n , M au r ic e C o n n o r ,
A n d b e m arr e d to me i .

iv
S l e r pl ate s and g o l d d i s he s
hv
Y o u s h all a e , an d s hal l b e
T he k i ng o f t h e s e s , h
Wh ye n o u r e m ar r e d to me

i .

Dri n k w as stron g i n M auri ce s h ead , an d o u t h e c h au nted

i n retur n for h er great c i vi l ity I t i s n o t e v e r y lady m ay

.
,

be th at w ould be aft er m aki n g su ch a n o ffer t o a bl i n d

,

p i per ; therefo r e t w as o nly ri g h t i n hi m t o gi ve h er as goo d

as s h e gave h ersel f s o say s M auri ce ,

I m o b li g e d t o y o u , m adam :

O ff a g o l d d i s h o r p l ate ,
If a k in g , an d I had e m ,

c l
I o u d d i n e in g re at s tat e .
 THE W O N D E R F UL T UN E. 1 51

With y r o w n fat h e r s daughte r

ou

I d b e s u re t o ag r e e ;

B ut t o d r in k t he s al t w ate r
W o ul dn t do s o w i t h me 2

The l ady l ooked at h i m qu ite a m a z ed an d s w i n g i n g h er ,

h ead fro m side to side l ike a great sch o l ar W el l

say s , ,

s he
,
M aur i ce i f yo u re n o t a poet w here is poetry to b e
,

,

f o u nd ?
In th i s w ay t h ey k ept o n at i t f ra m i n g h i gh c o m pl i ,

m e nts ; o n e a ns w eri n g t h e oth er an d t h ei r feet goi n g w it h

,

th e m us i c as fast as thei r tong u es A ll the sh ke p t d an c m g .

too : M au ri ce h eard the cl atter an d w as a frai d to stop pl ay,

i n g lest i t m i ght be d i s p leasi n g to th e sh a nd n ot kn o w i n g ,

w hat so m a n y of the m m a t ake i t i nto thei r head s t o do

y
to h i m i f they got vexed .

W ell th e l ad y w i th the green h ai r k e pt o n coax i n g o f

,

M aurice w ith soft Speeches t il l at last s h e over p ersuaded

,

h i m t o pro m ise to m arry her a n d be k i n g o ver t h e fi sh es

, ,

reat a n d s m all M au ri ce w as w el l tted to be t h ei r k i n g

g .
,

i f th ey w a nted o n e th at coul d m ake th e m dan ce ; an d h e

surely w o u l d dri nk barri n g th e sal t w ater w ith a ny s h
, ,

o f th e m al l .

W he n M au r i ce s m ot h er s aw h im w i th th at u n n atural

,

t hi n g i n the for m o f a gree n h aire d l ad y as h is gu i d e and

-
,

h e an d s h e da nc i n g d o w n together s o l o vi n gl y to the w ater s

e d ge t h rou gh the thi ck o f th e shes sh e cal led o u t after h im ,

to stop and co m e back O h th en . sa y s sh e as if I w as

, ,

n o t w id o w e n o u gh before th ere h e i s goi n g a w ay fr o m m e

,

t o b e m arried to th at scaly w o m an A n d w ho k n o w s b ut
.

ti s gra nd m oth er I m ay be to a b ak e o r a c o d Lord hel p

an d p i t y m e b u t t i s a m i ghty u n natural t h in g l a nd m ay
,

be ti s boi l i n g an d eat i n g m y o w n gran dch i l d l l l b e w it h

,

a b i t o f sal t b u tter an d I n ot k n o w i n g it l O h M a u ri ce
, ,

M aurice i f the r e s an y l o ve or n at u re left i n y o u co m e

,

,

back to y ou r o w n o u ld m o ther w h o reared yo u l i k e a d e ,

cent C hristi an !

The n the p oor w o m an bega n to cry a nd u llago an e s o

nely th at i t w o ul d d o a ny o n e good to h ear h er .

M a u r i ce w as n o t l on g g e tti n g to t h e r i m o f t h e w ater ;
there h e ke p t p l ay i ng a nd danci n g o n as if n oth i ng w as t h e
m atter an d a great th u nd e ri n g w ave c o m i n g in to w ard s h i m
,
1 52 T H E W O ND E R U L T U N E F .

r eady to s w al l o w hi m u p al i v e ; b u t as h e coul d n o t s e e it,

h e d i d n o t fear i t H is m other i t w as w h o s aw i t pl ai nl y
.

th rou gh th e b i g tears th at w ere rol l i n g d o w n h er ch eek s ;

a n d th ou gh s he s aw i t a n d her h eart w as ach i n g as m u c h
,

as ever m other s h eart ac h ed f o r a s o n s h e kept d a n ci n g

, ,

da n c i n g al l th e ti m e for th e bare l ife o f h er Certai n it

, .

w as s h e cou l d n ot h el p it , for M aur i ce never s topped pl ay

i n g th at w o nderfu l tu n e o f h is .

H e o nl y tu rned th e b othered ear to th e sou nd o f h is

m other s v oi ce f eari n g i t m i gh t pu t hi m o u t i n h is s teps ,

,

an d al l th e a n s w er h e m ade bac k w as
'

W h ish t w i th y o u m ot h ersu re I m goi n g t o be k i n g
,

o ver th e sh es d o w n i n th e s e a an d for a to ke n of l u ck , ,

an d a si gn that I am al i ve and w el l I ll se n d y o u i n every

, ,

t w el ve m o nt h o n th i s d ay a p iece o f b ur ne d w ood t o Tra

,

f r as k a
. M auri ce h ad n o t the po w er to s ay a w ord m o re ,
for t h e stran ge lad y w i th th e green h ai r see i n g th e w ave ,

j u st u po n th e m co vere d h i m U p w it h h ersel f i n a th i n g
,

l i ke a cl oak w i th a bi g h ood to i t , an d th e w ave curl i n g

o ver t w i ce as h i gh as thei r h eads b urst u po n th e stran d , ,

w i th a rush an d a roar that m i ght b e h eard as far as Cape

C l ear .

Th a t day t w el ve m on t h th e p i ece o f burn ed w o od ca m e

ash ore i n T r af r as k a It w as a q u eer th i n g fo r M auri ce t o
.

th i n k o f se n d i n g al l th e w ay fro m the botto m o f th e sea .

A go w n o r a pair o f sh o e s w oul d h ave bee n so m eth i n g l i ke

a prese n t for h i s poor m oth er ; but h e h ad sa i d i t an d h e ,

kept h i s w or d Th e b i t o f b u rned w ood regularl y ca m e

.

ash ore o n th e appo i nted d ay f o r as good ay an d bette r , ,

th an a h u nd red years T he d ay is n o w forgotten an d m ay

.
,

b e that i s th e reaso n w hy peopl e say h o w M aur i ce C o n nor

h as stopped sen d i n g t h e l u ck toke n t o h is m oth er-
P o or .

w o m a n s h e d i d n o t l i ve t o get as m u ch as o n e o f the m;
,

f o r w h at th rou gh the l oss o f M au r i ce a n d th e fear o f eat ,

i n g h er o w n gra n d ch i ldren s h e d i ed i n three W eeks after

,

t h e dan ce so m e s ay i t w as th e fati gu e that k i l led h er b u t ,

w h i chever i t w as , M r s C o n n or w as decen tly b ur i e d w i t h

.

h er o w n peopl e .

e af ar i n g m e n h ave ofte n h eard o ff th e coast of Kerry ,

o n a sti l l n i gh t t h e sou n d o f m us i c co m i n g u p fro m t h e

,

w at e r ; an d s o m e , w ho h a v e h ad good ears , c o ul d pl ai n l y
 T HE WO N D E R F UL T UN E . 1 53

d i st i ngu i sh M au r i ce Co n n or vo i ce s i n g i n g th ese w ords

s to
h is p ipes :

i
B e au t fu l s h or e , w ith thy i
s pr e ad n
g t
s r an d,

T hy c rys tal w ate r an d d i am o nd s an d ;

,

N e ve r w o ul d I h av e p ar t e d f r o m t he e
B ut fo r t h e s ak e o f my f ai r l ad ie * .

T hi s is almo s t a lite r al t ran s lat i o n o f a R ann in the w e ll - kno w n

s o ng o f D e ar dra .
 T he I r i s h M e r r o w an s w e rs e x actly to the Engli s h Me r mai d It .

is al s o u s e d t o e xpr e s s a s e a m o n s t e r li k e t h e A r mo r ick an d C o r n is h
-
,

M o r b ac h to w h ic h i t e vi de n tly b e ars an al o gy
, .

T he r o man tic h i s t o r i an s o f I r e l an d des c r i b e t h e S u i r e as pl ay i ng

r o u n d t he s h i ps o f t he M il e s i an s w he n o n t he i r p as s age t o t h at

I s l and.
 TH E D U L L AH A

W
The n w o n de r n o t at he adle s s f o lk
S i n c e e ve r y d ay y o u g r ee t e m ;
,

N o r t r e at o ld s t o r i e s as a j o k e
W h e n fo o l s yo u daily m e e t e m The L eg e n dar y
,


.
.

Says t h e f r i ar tis s tr an g e h e ad l e s s h o rs e s s ho u l d t r o t

, .

O l d S o ng .

T HE GO O D O MAN

XXVI .

I N a pleasan t a n d n ot u np icturesq u e val ley o f the W h i te

K n i gh t s co u n try at th e fo o t o f th e Gal tee m ou nta in s l i v ed

,
,
Larry D od d an d h i s w i fe Nancy Th ey re nted a cab i n
.

an d a fe w acres of la nd w h ic h th ey cul ti vated w i t h great

,

care a n d its crops re w arded thei r i nd ustry Th ey w ere

, .

i nde p enden t an d respected by th ei r neigh bours ; th e y l o ve d

eac h o ther i n a m arr iageabl e sort o f w ay an d f e w c o u ples ,

h ad altogether m ore th e appearance o f co m fort abou t the m .

Larry w as a h ard w ork i n g and occasi o nal ly a h ard

, , ,
l 56

d r i n k i n g,
THE

D utc h b u i l t l ittle m an w i t h a dd l e h ea d an d a
-
,

rou n d s tern ; a steady go i n g strai gh t for w ard fel l o w barri n g

-

w he n h e carried to o m uc h w h is k y w h i ch i t m u st be c o n
f essed m i g h t occas i o nal ly preven t h i s w alk i n g the ch al k ed
G OOD W OMAN
,

,
-
.

,
,

l i n e w ith perfect ph i l o mat h i cal ac cu racy H e h ad a m oist .

,

ru d d y cou nten a n ce rather i ncl i n ed t o a n expr e ssio n o f

,

gra vi ty a n d parti cularl y s o i n th e m orn i n g ; bu t take n all

, ,

togeth er h e w as general ly lo oked U po n as a m arvell o u sl y .

p roper p erso n n ot w i th sta nd i n g h e h ad every d ay i n th e

, ,

year a sort o f u n h oly d e w u po n h i s face eve n i n th e col d

, ,

e s t w eath er w h i ch g av e ri se to a s u pposi ti o n a m o n gst ce n

, (
s o r i o u s pers o ns o f c ou rse ) th at Lar r y w as apt to i n d u l ge
, ,

i n stro ng an d freq u en t otati on s H o w e ver all m e n o f

p .
,

t al e nts h ave the i r fau l t s i n deed w h o i s w ith o u t th e m ?

, ,

an d as Larry setti n g a sid e h i s d o m est i c v i rt u es an d sk i l l

,

i n far m i n g w as decid edly th e m ost d isti n g u i shed breaker

,

o f h orses for fo r t y m i les ro u nd h e m ust be i n so m e degree ,

e x c u s ed co n sid eri n g th e i nd u ce m e n ts o f t he st i rru p c ap
,

,

an d t h e fo x h u n ti n g society i n w h i c h h e m i x ed i f h e h ad
-
,

al s o been t he greatest d ru n k ard i n th e co u n t y : but , i n tru th ,

th i s w as n o t th e case .

Larr y w as a m an o f m i xed h abits as w el l i n h i s m o d e o f ,

l i fe a n d h i s d ri n k as i n h i s c o stu m e H i s d ress accorded

, .

w el l w i t h h i s character a sort o f h al f an d hal f bet w ee n - -

far m er a nd h orse j ockey H e w ore a bl u e c o at o f coars e

-
.

cl oth w i t h s h o rt s k i rts a n d a stan d u p c ol lar ; h is w aistcoat

, ,
-

w as r e d a n d h i s l o w er h abi l i m e n ts w ere m ade o f leather ,

,

w h i c h i n c ou rs e o f t i m e h ad sh ru n k so m u ch t h at they ,

tted l i ke a seco n d sk i n ; an d l o n g u se h ad absorbed th ei r

m o s t u r e to s u ch a de gree that they m ad e a stran ge sor t
.
,

o f crackl i n g n oi se as h e w al ked al o n g A h at covered w it h .

o i ls k i n ; a c u tti n g w h i p all w o rn an d j agged at the e nd ; a

-
,

pai r o f seco nd h an d o r to s peak m ore co rrectly seco n d

-
, , ,

f oo t ed greas y t o p boots th at see m ed n ever to h ave i m bi be d

, ,

a refresh i n g d ra u gh t o f Warren s bl ack i n g o f m atch less
l u s t r e l a nd o n e s p u r w i tho u t a ro w el c o m p leted t he ,

e ver y d ay d ress o f Larry Dod d

-
.

Th u s eq u i ppe d w as Larry retu rn i n g fro m Cash el m ou n t ,

ed o n a rou g h coated an d w al l eyed nag t ho u gh n o t w ith

- -
, ,

s ta n d i n g these an d a f e w other tri i n g bl e m ishes a w el l ,

b u il t an i m al ; h av i n g j ust p u rchased t he sa i d n ag, w i t h a

 THE G OO D W O M A N . 1 57

f an cy th at h e coul d m ake h i s o w n m o ney agai n o f h is bar

gai n and m ay be tu r n an o d d pen ny m ore b y i t at th e
, , ,

e nsu i n g K i ld orrery fai r W el l pleased w ith h i m sel f h e

.
,

t rotted fair an d eas y al o n g the road i n th e del i c io u s an d

l i n geri n g t w i l i gh t o f a l ovely J u ne even i n g th i n k i n g o f ,

n oth i ng at all o nly w h i stl i n g a n d w o n d eri n g w o u l d h or ses

, ,

al w ays be so l o w If th ey go at th i s rate
. sai d h e to ,

h i m sel f f o r h al f n o th i n g an d th at p aid i n b u tter buyer s

, ,

n otes w ho w o u l d be the f ool to w al k ? T h i s ver y t h o ugh t
, ,

i n deed w as passi n g i n h is m i n d w hen h i s atten tio n w as

, ,

rou sed b y a w o m a n pac i n g qu i c k l y by th e si d e o f h i s

h orse an d h u rry i ng o n as i f e n d eav ou ri n g to reac h her
desti natio n before th e n i gh t close d i n H er g u re co n .
,

s id e r i n th e l o n g strides s h e t o o k app e ar e d t o b e u n der

g ,

th e co m m o n size rath er o f th e d u m p y or d er ; b u t f arther

,

as to w h ether the da m sel w as y ou ng o r o l d f ai r o r b ro w n , ,

pretty or u gl y Larry c o u l d for m n o p recise n oti o n f ro m

, ,

h er w eari n g a large cl oa k (th e u su al garb o f th e fe m al e

Iri s h p easant ) th e h o o d o f w h ic h w as turned Up , a n d c o m
,

l e te l y co n cealed every featu re

p .

E n vel op ed i n th is m ass o f d ark a n d c o nceal i n g d rapery ,

th e stran ge w o m an w i th o u t m u ch exertio n co ntri ved to

W
, ,

keep u p w i th Larry D o d d s steed f o r so m e ti m e w h e n h is

,

m aster very ci v i l ly o ffered h er a l ift beh i n d h i m as f ar as ,

h e w as go i n g h er w ay C i vi l i ty begets c i v i l it y they
.
,

s ay ; h o w ever h e recei ved n o a ns w er ; an d t h i n k i n g tha t

th e l ad y s silen ce pr o ceed ed o nly fro m bashfu l n ess l ike a

,

m an o f tr u e gal la ntry n o t a w ord m ore sai d Larry u nti l

,

h e pu l led p by th e s i de
u o f a gap an d th e n say s h e J lIa
, ,

c o lle e n b ra
g j ust, j"
u mp u
p beh i n d m e i t h o u t a w ord m ore, ,

th ou gh never a o n e h ave y o u Sp oke a n d I ll take y o u safe ,

an d sou n d th roug h th e l o neso m e bi t of road th at i s befor e

u s.

S h e j u m ped at th e o ffer sure en ou gh a n d u p w i th h er , ,

o n the bac k o f th e h orse as l i h t as a f eather I n a n i a

g .

stan t th e re s he w as seated u p be h i n d L arry Wi t h h er h an d ,

an d ar m buckled rou n d h i s w aist h ol d i n g o n .

I h ope yo u re co m fortable there my dear, sa i d Larry

, ,

i n h i s o w n good h u m ou red w ay ; but there w as n o a n s w er ;

-

*M
3
y littl e g i r l .

14
1 58 T HE G OO D W O M A N .

an d on th ey w e n ttrot trot trot al on g th e road ; and , ,

al l w as s o stil l a n d so q u i et th at y o u m i gh t h ave heard t h e ,

s ou n d o f th e h oo f s o n th e l i m esto ne a m il e o ff ; for th at

m atter there w as n oth i n g el se to h ear ex ce p t the m oa n i n g

O f a d istan t strea th at kept p a co n ti n ued cr o n an e l ike
m u ,
* ,

a n urse hu s ho ing Larr y w h o h ad a kee n ear d i d n o t

.
, , ,
h o w e ver requ i re so pro fo u n d a s ile n ce to detect th e cl i ck
,

o f o n e o f th e sh oes Ti s o nly l o o se th e sh o e is sa i d
.
,

h e t o h i s co m p an io n as th ey w ere j u st e nteri n g o n t he
,

l o neso m e b i t o f roa d o f w h i ch h e had b e fore s p oke n .

S o m e Ol d trees w i t h h u g e tr u n k s al l covered an d i rregu l ar

, , ,

bra nch es festoo ne d w i t h i v y gre w over a dark pool o f ,

w ate r w h i c h h ad b ee n for m ed as a d ri nk i n g place for cat

,
-

tle ; a n d i n th e d ista n ce w as see n th e m ajest i c head o f

Gau l te e m ore
- Here t he h orse as i f i n grate f ul recog
.
,

n it io n m ad e a dead h al t ; an d Larry n ot k n o w i n g w h at
, ,

v i c i ou s tri ck s h i s n e w p u rch ase m igh t h ave a n d u n w i ll i n g ,

t h at th r o u gh a n y o d d c h ance the y ou n g w o m a n sh ou l d get

s i lt i n th e w ater , d i s m o u n ted , t h i n k i n g to lead t h e h or s e
p
q u i etly by th e pool .

B y th e pi per s l u ck th at al w ays fou n d w h at h e w a n t

,

ed , sai d L arry recoll ecti n g h i m sel f I v e a n ai l i n m y
, ,

p o cket : ti s n o t th e rst ti m e I ve p u t o n a sh oe a n d m ay

,

be i t w o n t be th e l ast ; f o r h ere i s n o w a n t o f pav i n g

s to n es to m ake h a m m ers i n p l en ty .

N o s o o n e r w as Larry o ff t ha n o ff w i t h a spr i n g ca m e ,

th e yo u n g w o m a n j u st at h is s id e He r feet tou ched th e .

gro u n d w ith o u t m a k i n g th e least n oi se i n l ife an d a w ay ,

s he bou nd ed l ike an i l l m a n n e red w e n ch as s h e w as w i th-

, ,

o u t sa i n g
by y o u r l eave o r n o m atter w hat else S he
y , , .

s ee m ed to gl i d e rather tha n r u n n o t al on g t he road b u t , ,

across a e ld u p to w ar d s th e o ld i vy co vered w al l s o f
,
-

K i ln as l at te r y ch u rch a n d a pretty ch urc h i t w as

.

N o t so fast i f y o u pl e ase yo u n g w o m a n n ot s o fast
, , ,

cr i ed Larry cal l i n g after her : b u t a w ay s he ran an d Larry

, ,

fol l o w ed h i s l eathern gar m en t al read y descri b ed crack

, , , ,

crick c rackl i n g at ever y s tep h e took

VV h e r e s my .

,

ges ? sa i d L a rry : T h m m a l l g 1 su re '

w a o e c
r u
p g o e e n o e , ,

A mo n o to n o u s s o n g ; a d r o w s y hu mmi ng n o i s e .

f G i v e m e a k i s s m y y o u ng
g l
i r , .
 THE G OOD WO M A N . 1 59

I
ve earned a k i ss fro m you r pai r O f p retty l ips an d
I ll

h ave it too ! B u t sh e w e n t o n faster an d faster regard ,

less o f t h ese an d other atteri n g S peech es fro m he r p u r

s u er ; at last she ca m e to the ch urc h yard w all a n d t he n -
,

o ver w ith h er i n a n i nsta n t .

Wel l s h e s a m i g ht y s m art creatu re an y h o w
,

To be .

su re h o w n eat she s t ep s U p on h e r p astern s ! D i d any o n e

,

e ver s e e th e l ike o f that b efo r e ; b u t I l l n ot be balked

b y an y w o m a n t h at ever w ore a hea d or a n y d i tc h either

, ,

e x clai m ed Larry as w i t h a d e s p er ate bo u n d h e v aul ted

, ,
scra m b led an d t u m b led over th e w all i n t o th e c h u rc h
,

yard U p h e g o t fro m th e elasti c s o d o f a n e w ly m ad e

.
-

ra ve in w h i c h Tade Lear y t h at m orn i n g w as b ried

g u

rest h is s o u l l an d o n w en t L arry st u m b l i n g over head ,

ston es an d f oot ston es o ver o ld graves an d n e w graves

,
-
, ,
p ieces o f c o fn s an d th e s k u l ls an d b o n es o f d ead m e n
,

t h e L or d save u s ! that w ere scattered abo u t there as pl en ty

as p av i ng sto n es ; o u n d eri n g am i d st g rea t overgro w n
-

dock l eaves an d b r am b les that w i th th e i r l o n g p ri ckly

-
,

ar m s tan gle d ro u n d h i s l i m b s an d h el d hi m back w i th a

, ,

f ear f u l gras p M ean ti m e the m erry w en ch i n th e cloak

.

m oved th ro u gh al l th ese o b stru ctio n s as e ven ly an d as

gai ly as i f th e c h urch yard cro w ded u p as i t w as w i t h
-
,

raves n d grave stones for eo l e ca m e o b e b u r i ed th er e

g a ( p p -
t
f ro m f ar an d near ) h ad b een th e oor o f a danci n g roo m
,
-
.

Ro u n d an d ro u n d th e w al l s o f th e o ld ch urch sh e w e n t .

I l l j u s t w ait

sai d L arry seei n g th is and th i n k i n g i t all
, , ,

f
n oth i n g b u t a tri ck to r i gh te n i m ; w hen s h e co m es
h

ro u n d agai n i f I d o n t take the ki ss I w o n t th at s all

,

,

,

,

an d here she i s ! Larry D o d d Sp ran g fo r w ard w ith O pe n
ar m s an d clas p e d i n th e m a w o m an i t i s t r u e b ut a
, ,

W o m a n w ith out any l ips t o k i ss b y reaso n o f h er h a v i n g ,

n o h ead .

M u r d er ! cried b e
W el l th at acco u nts for h er n o t
.
,

s p eak i n g Havi n g u ttered these w ords Larry h i m sel f
.
,

beca me d u m b w i th f ear an d asto n ish m en t ; h is bl ood see m e d

t u rne d to i ce an d a d izzi n e ss ca m e o v er h i m ; an d s t agger
, ,

i n g l i ke a d r u nken m an h e roll e d agai n st th e broke n w i n

,

d o w o f the ru i n h orri ed at t h e co n v i ctio n th at h e h ad

,

actual ly hel d a D u llahan i n h is e m brace !

When h e recovered to so m eth i n g l i k e a feel i n g o f c o n
1 60 T HE G OO D W O M A N .

s c io u s n e s s ,h e sl o w l y O p en ed h i s eyes a n d t h e n i nd e ed a , , ,

scen e o f w o nder bu rst u po n h im I n the m i d st o f t h e ru i n .

s t o o d a n o l d w h eel o f tort u re orn a m en ted w i th b e ad s l i ke

, ,

C ork g ao l w he n th e h ead s o f M u rty S u ll ivan a n d o t h er

,

gen tl e m e n w ere s tu ck U po n i t Th i s w as plai n ly v i si bl e .

i n th e stran ge l i gh t w h i c h spread itsel f arou n d I t w as .

fe arfu l to beh old b u t Larry co u l d n o t c hoose b u t l o o k for

, ,

h i s l i m bs w ere po w erless th rou g h th e w o n der a n d the fear .

U seless as i t w as h e w oul d h ave cal led f o r h elp bu t h is

, ,

to n gu e cl eave d to t he r o of o f h i s m ou th an d n o t o n e w ord ,

co u l d h e say I n short there w as Larry gazi n g th ro u gh

.
, ,

a sh attered w i n d o w o f th e o ld ch urch w i t h eyes bleare d ,

an d al m ost starti n g f ro m th ei r sockets ; h is breast resti ng

o n th e th i ck n ess o f th e w al l over w h i ch o n o n e sid e h i s
, , ,

h ead a n d ou tstretch ed n eck projected a nd o n th e other , ,

al t h ou gh o n e toe to u ch ed th e grou n d i t d eri ved n o support ,

fro m then ce : terro r as i t w ere kept h i m bal an ced S tra nge

, ,
.

n oi ses assaile d h i s ears u n ti l at las t they ti n gl ed pai n ful ly

,

to th e sh ar p cl atter o f l ittl e bell s w h i c h kept U p a c o n

t i n u e d d i n g d i n g d i n g d i n g : m arro w less bo nes rat t le d
,

an d clanked a n d th e d eep an d sol e m n sou n d o f a great bel l

,

c a m e b oo m i n g o n t h e n i g h t w i nd .

T w as a s p e ct r e r u n g

h
T at b e l l w e n it s w ungh
S w i n g S w an g ! -

A n d t he c hai n t s q u e ak e d, i
A n d t he p u ll e y c r e ak e d ,
S w i ng s w an g ! -

A n d w ith e ve ry r o ll
O f t h e d e e p d e at h t o l l
D i n g d o ng ! -

W
T he h o l lo w v au lt r an g
A S t h e c lap p e r w e n t b ang ,
D i ng d o n g ! -

It stran ge m u s i c to d an ce by ; n ev erth eless m ov i n g

w as ,

t o i t rou n d an d rou n d th e w h eel s e t w i t h sk u ll s w ere

, ,

w el l d resse d l ad ies an d gen tl e m en a nd s o ld i ers an d sai l ors

-
, ,

a nd pries t s an d pu bl ic an s an d j ocke y s an d je n nys b u t all

, ,

w i th o u t the i r head s S o m e po o r skeleto n s h ose bleached

.
,

b o ne s w ere i l l covered by m oth eate n pal l s an d w h o w ere -

,
 T HE G OO D W O M A N . 1 61

n ot ad m i tted i nto th e ri n g a m u sed th e m sel ves b y b o w l i n g

,

thei r b rai nless n od d les at o n e an other w h i ch see m ed t o ,

enjoy th e S p ort b eyond m e as u re .

Larry d id n ot k n o w w h at to th i n k ; h i s brai n s w ere al l

i n a m i st ; a nd l osi n g the b al an ce w h i ch h e had so l on g
m ai n tai n ed h e f el l head fore m ost i n to the m id st o f th e
,

co m p any of D u llahan s .

I m d o ne f o r an d lost for e ver

roared L arry w it h ,

,

h i s h eel s t u r ned to w ard s th e stars , an d sou se d o w n h e

ca m e
\
.

V
e lc o m e Larry D odd w el co me cr i ed every h ead
, , , ,

bobbi n g U p an d d o w n i n t h e ai r A d ri n k for Larry .

D od d sh o u ted they as w i t h o n e vo i ce th at qu avered
, , ,

l i ke a sha k e o n the ba g p i p es No sooner s ai d th an d one .

,

for a p la y er at h e ads c atc h i n g h is o w n as i t w as bo w l ed at

,

h i m fo r fear o f i ts go i n g astray j u m ped u p p u t the h ead

, , , ,
w i th o u t a w ord u n d e r h is left ar m an d w ith th e ri gh t ,
, ,

stretched o u t p r e s e n t ed a b ri m m i n g OU p to Larry w h o to
, , ,
Sh o w h i s m an ners d r an k i t o ff l i k e a m an
, .

T is ca p i tal stu ff h e w ou l d h ave said w h i c h surel y i t
, ,

w as bu t h e o t n o f arth er than c a w h en d ecap itated w as

, g p ,

h e an d h i s hea d b e g an danc i n g o ver h is sh o u lde r s l ike

,

th ose o f th e re s t o f the p ar t y L arry h o w ever w as n ot .

, ,

th e rst m an w h o l ost h i s h e ad th rou g h t h e te m p tatio n o f

l ook i n g at the botto m o f a b ri m m i n g c u p Noth i n g m or e .

d id h e re m e m ber cl e arl y for i t see m s body an d h ead b e

,

i n g parted is n ot very fav o u r ab l e to t h ou gh t b u t a great

h u rry sc u rry w ith the noi se o f carri ages an d th e crac k i n g
o f w h ips .

W h e n h i s senses ret u rned h is rst act w as to p u t u p h i s ,

h and to w he r e h i s h e ad f or m erl y gre w an d to h i s grea t ,

j oy there h e fo u n d i t s t il l He the n sh ook i t ge n t ly b u t .

,

h i s h ead re m ai n e d r m e n o u g h a n d so m e w h at ass u red at ,

th is h e proceede d to O p e n h is e y es a n d l ook aro u n d him

, .

It w as broa d dayl i gh t an d i n th e o ld ch u rch o f K i ln as lat

,

t e r y he fo u n d h i m sel f lyi n g w ith that head t h e loss o f , ,

w h i c h h e h ad ant i ci p ated u ie t ly res t i n g poor yo u th
q , , ,

upon th e lap o f earth C o u ld i t h ave b ee n a n U gly

.

d rea m ?
Oh no sai d Larry a drea m c o ul d n ever h av e
, ,

b ro u ght m e here stretc hed o n t h e at o f m y b ack w i t h

, ,

th at dea t h s head a nd cross m arro w b o nes f o r e ne n t in g m e

"
14
 1 62 T HE G OO D W O M A N .

on th e n e o ld to m bston e there t h at w as f ace d by P at

*
Kearney o f Ki lcrea b u t w here i s th e h orse ?
He got
U p sl o w ly every j o i n t ach i n g w i th pai n fro m th e bru i ses
,

h e h ad r e c e iv e d an d w e n t t o the pool o f w ater bu t n o

,

,

h orse w as there Ti s h o m e I m u s t go
. sai d Larry ,

,

w i th a ru e l cou nte n an ce ; bu t h o w w i l l I face Na n cy ?

w h at w i l l I tell h er about th e h orse , an d th e sev e n 1 O

U s t h at h e cost m e Ti s t h e m D u llahan s th at h av e
. .

?
.

m ad e th e i r o w n o f h i m fro m m e th e h orse steal i n g rob ber s -

o f th e w orld th at h av e n o fear o f th e gal l o w s ! b u t w hat s

,

go n e i s gon e that s a cl ear case !
,
s o say i n g he turn e d

-
,

h is s te p s h o m e w ar d s an d arri ve d at h is ca b i n abou t n oo n
,

w i th ou t e n cou n teri n g any far t h er ad ven tu res Th ere h e .

f ou n d Na n cy w h o as h e ex p ected l ooke d as blac k as a

, , ,

t h u n dercl o ud at h i m for bei n g o u t al l n i g h t S he l i ste n ed .

t o th e m arvel lous rel ati o n w h ic h h e ga ve w i th ex cl a m ation s

o f asto n ish m e n t a n d w h e n h e h ad c o n c l u d e d o f g rie f at

, , , ,

t h e l oss o f th e h o rse th at h e h ad pai d for l i ke a n h o nes t

m an w i t h seve n I O U s , th ree o f w h i c h s he k n e w to be

. . .

as good as gold .

B u t w h at took y o u u p to t h e o ld ch urc h at al l o u t o f ,

th e road a n d at th at t i m e o f th e n i gh t, Larry ?
,
i n q u i red
h is w i f e .

Larry l oo ked l ike a cr i m i n al for w h o m th ere w as n o

rep ri eve ; h e s c ratched h i s h ead fo r an e x c u se bu t n o t o n e ,

c o u l d h e m u ste r u p so h e k ne w n ot W h at to s ay
'

.
,
O h ! Larry Larry m u ttered Nan cy aft er w ai ti n g so m e
, , ,

t i m e fo r h is a n s w er h er jeal o u s fears d u ri n g th e pause ,

r isi n g l i ke bar m ; tis th e very sa m e w ay w ith y o u as

w it h any oth er m an o u are al l al ike for th at m atter

y

I ve n o p i ty for y o u b u t c o n fess th e tr u th
,
.

Larry sh u d d ered at t he te m pest w h i ch h e perce i v ed w as

ab o ut to break u po n h is d evoted h ead .

Nan cy sai d he ,

I d o c o n fe s s z it w as a yo u n g w o
,

m an w i th o u t a ny h ead th at

H i s w i fe h eard n o m ore A w o m an I k ne w i t w as .
,

c r i ed s he ; bu t a w o m a n w ith out a h ead Larry ! w el l i t

,
-
,

i s l o n g b efore Nan c y Go l lag he r e ver thou gh t i t w o ul d

c o m e to th at w i th h er ! th at s h e w o u l d be le f t d i ssol u te
an d alo n e h ere by h er b as te o f a h usban d for a w o m a n ,

3
F ac
ed , so w r i tte n b y th e Ch an tre y Of Kilc r e a, f o r
fe e d .

 THE G OO D W O M A N . 1 63

w i th ou t a h e ad ! O fat h er fat h er ! an d 0 m ot h er m oth er !, ,

i t i s w el l y o u are l o w to da y ! t h at you d o n t s e e th i s -

af icti o n a n d d i sgrace to you r daughter that y o u r eared

decen t an d te nd er .

0 L arry o u v il lai n you l l be th e deat h o f y ou r l aw

y
ful w i fe g o i n g aft er s u c h O O O
, ,

Well says Larry putti n g h is h an ds i n h is coat

, ,

p ockets least said i s soo nest m e nde d O f th e you n g

,

.

w o m a n I k n o w n o m ore th a n I d o o f M ol l Fl an d ers : b u t

th i s I kn o w that a w o m an w i th o u t a head m ay w el l b e
,

cal led a Good Wo m an b ecau se s h e has n o ton g u e ! ,

H o w th i s re m ark Operated o n th e m atri m o n ial d ispu te

h istory d oes n o t i n for m us It i s h o w ever, re p orte d that .
,

the lady h ad th e l ast w ord .

HAN LON S MILL

.

XXVI I .

ON E n e su m m er s even i n g M ich ael Noon an w e nt o ve r

t o J a c k B r i en s th e sh oe m aker at B ally d u f o r the pai r

"

, , ,

o f b r og u es w h i c h J ac k w as m end i n fo r h im I t w as a
g .

prett y w al k the w ay h e too k b u t very l o neso m e ; al l alo n g ,

b y t h e r i ver side d o w n u nder th e o ak w oo d til l h e ca m e

-
,
-
,

to H anlo n s m i l l that u sed to be but that h ad go ne to ru i n

, ,

m an y a l on g year ago .

M elan c h oly e no u g h th e w alls o f th at sa m e m il l l ooked ;

th e great Ol d w heel b lac k w ith age al l co vered o ver w i t h
, ,

m oss an d ferns an d the b u shes al l h an gi n g do w n abo u t i t

,
.

There i t s t o o d si le n t an d m oti o nl e ss ; an d a s ad con trast i t

w as to its for m er b u sy clac k w i th the strea m w h i ch o n ce ,

gave i t u s e rip p l i n g i d ly alo n g .

O l d Han l o n w as a m an tha t h ad great k n o w l ed ge o f all

s orts ; th e r e w as n ot a n herb th at gre w i n the el d b u t h e
c o u ld tel l the n a m e o f i t and its u s e o u t o f a bi g b ook h e ,

h ad w ritten every w ord o f i t i n the real I rish k ar acter H e

,
.

k ept a sch ool o n ce an d cou l d teach th e L ati n ; that surel y

,

i s a bl essed to n gu e al l ove r the w ide w orl d ; a n d I h ear te l l

1 64 H A N L O N S M I LL
.

as ho w great B u rke w e n t to sch ool to h im M a s t e r

t he
.

E d m u n d l i v ed U p at th e o ld h o u se there w h i c h w as t h e n ,

i n th e fa m i l y an d i t w as th e Nagles that got i t after w ards

, ,

bu t they sol d i t .

B u t i t w as M i chael N o on a n s w al k I w as abou t speak

i n g o f It w as fairly b et w een l ights th e da y w as clea n

.
,

gon e an d th e m oo n w as n o t yet u p w h e n M i ck w as w al k
, ,

i n g s m artly across the I n ch W el l h e h eard co m i n g d o w n .

, ,

o u t o f th e w o od su ch bl o w i n g o f h orn s and h all ooi n g a n d

, ,

the cry o f al l th e h ou nds i n th e w orld a n d h e t h ou gh t ,

t hey w ere c o m i n g a f ter h i m ; an d th e gall o p i ng o f th e

h orses an d th e v o ice o f th e w h ipper in , a n d h e sh ou t i n g
,
-

o ut ,j u s t l ike th e n e Ol d s o n g ,

H allo P i p e r L ill y agu s F i n d e r ;
,

,

an d th e ech o o ver fro m th e gray rock a cross th e r i ver

g i v i n g back e ver y w ord as
p lai n ly as i t w as sp o ke n B u t .

n o th i n g co u l d M i ck s e e a n d th e Sh o u ti n g a nd h al l oo i n g
,

fol l o w i n g h i m e v ery ste p o f th e w ay ti l l h e go t Up to J ack

B ri e n s d oor ; a n d h e w as certai n t o o h e h e ard th e clack

, ,

o f o ld Han l o n s m i l l goi n g th ro u g h al l th e cl atter T o be

.
,

sure h e ra n as f ast as fear a n d h i s l egs cou l d carry h im

, ,

a n d ne ver o n ce l ooked b eh i nd h i m w e l l k n o w i n g that th e ,

D u h allo w h o u n d s w ere o u t i n q u ite a n oth er q u arter th at

d ay a n d th at n oth i n g good coul d c o m e o u t of th e n o ise o f
,

Ha nl o n s m i ll
.

Well M i ch ael No on an got h i s brog u es an d w ell h eel ed

, ,

th ey w ere an d w el l pleased w as h e w ith the m ; w he n w h o

,

sh o u l d be seated at J ac k Brien s be fore h im bu t a gossi p

,

o f h i s o n e D arby Hayn es a m i gh ty d ecent m an that had

, , ,

a h orse a nd c ar o f h i s o w n an d that u sed t o be travel l i n g ,

w i th it tak i n g l oads l ike the r o y al m a il coach bet w ee n

,

C ork an d Li m er ick ; an d w h e n h e w as at h o m e Dar b y w as ,

a near n e i g h bo u r o f M i c h ael Noo na n s

.

Is i t h o m e yo u re goi ng w ith th e b rogues th i s b lessed

n i g h t ? sai d D arby t o h i m .

W he r e el s e w o u ld i t he ? repl i ed M i ck : bu t by m y

,

w ord ti s n ot across t h e I n ch b ac k agai n I m go i n g a fter

,

,

al l I heard co m i n g h ere ; tis to n o go Od th at o ld Ha n l o n s

m il l is b u sy agai n .

Tr u e fo r y o u sai d Darby ; an d m ay be y o u d take
, ,

 H ANL O N
S M I LL . 1 65

th e h orse an d car h o m e for m e , M i ck by w ay o f c o m p an y , ,

as ti s al on g th e road you go

I m w ai t i n g here to s e e a
.

si ster s so n o f m i n e th at I ex p ect f ro m K ile o le m an

T h at .

sa m e I l l d o an s w ere d M ic k w it h a th ou sa nd w el co m es


,

,

.

S o M i ck d rove the car fai r a n d easy k n o w i n g th at the poor ,

beast h ad co m e O a lo n g j o u r n e y ; an d M i ck Go d re w ard
h im f o r i t w as al w ays te n der hearted a n d good t o t he -

d u m b creat u res .

T h e n i gh t w as a bea u ti f ul o n e ; th e m oo n w as better th a n
a q u ar t er o ld ; and M ick l ooki n g U p at h er c o ul d n ot h el p
, ,

besto w i n g a blessi n g o n h er bea u ti fu l face sh i n i n g d o w n ,

s o s w ee t l y u p o n th e gen t l e A w b e He h ad n o w got o u t
g .

o f th e o e n roa d an d h ad co m e to w h ere th e t rees gre w

p ,

o n eac h s i d e o f i t : h e roceeded for so m e Sp ace i n th e

p
cheque r ed l i gh t w h i ch t he m oo n gave th ro u gh t h e m A t .

o n e t i m e w hen a bi g o l d tree got bet w ee n h i m an d t h e

,

m oo n i t w as s o dar k that h e co u ld h ar d ly s e e t h e h orse s

, ,

h ead ; the n as he p assed o n th e m oon bea m s w o u ld strea m

, ,

th ro u gh th e O pe n b o u gh s and variegate the road w i th l igh t

an d shade M i ck w as l y i n g d o w n i n th e c ar at h i s ease ,
.

h av i n g got clear o f th e p lantati o n a n d w as w atch i n g t he ,

bri gh t p iece o f a m oo n i n a l ittle p ool at th e road si d e -

,

w he n h e s aw i t d isappear al l o f a su dde n as i f a great clou d

ca m e o ver th e s k y H e t u rned rou nd o n h is el b o w to s e e

.

i f i t w as s o ; b u t h o w w as M ick asto n i sh ed at nd i n g cl ose ,

al on g si d e o f th e car a great h i g h black c o ach d ra w n by

-
,

Si x b lack h orses w i t h l on g black tail s r each i n g al m os t

,

do w n to th e gro u nd an d a coach m a n d ressed al l i n bl ack

,

s ittin g u p o n th e box B ut w hat s u rpri se d M i ck th e m ost

.

w as that h e co u l d see n o sign o f a h ead either U po n coac h

,

m an or h orses It s w ept ra p id ly b y h im an d h e c o u l d
.
,

percei ve the h orses raisi n g thei r feet as i f they w ere i n a

ne sl i n gi n g tr o t the coach m an to u ch i n g the m u p w ith h i s
,

l on g w h i p an d the w heel s s p i n n i n g rou n d l ike h oddy

,

d odd ies ; sti ll he co u ld hear n o n oise o n ly the reg u l ar step ,

O f h is go s si p Darby s h o r s e an d t h e sq u ea k i n g O f t h e gu d

,

geo ns o f t he car that w ere as good as l ost e ntirely f o r

,

W a nt o f a l i t t le grease .

P oor M i ck s he art al m ost d ied w ith i n h im but h e said

,

n oth i n g o nly l ooked o n ; a nd th e black coac h s w ept a w ay

,
 W
1 66 H A N L ON s

M ILL .

a n d w as s oo n l ost a m o n g so m e d istan t trees M i ck s aw .

n oth i n m o re o f i t o r i n d eed o f a n y th i n g el se He ot
g , , , g .

h o m e j u st as t h e m o o n w as go i n g d o w n b eh i n d M o u n t
'

II il le r y too k th e tackl i n g o ff th e h orse t u rne d th e beast

-
,

o u t i n the el d f o r th e n i g h t an d g o t to h i s b ed
, .

Next m orn i n g early h e w as stand i n g at th e ro ad si de ,

, ,
-

th i n ki n g o f all t h at h ad h a p pe ne d th e n i gh t b efo r e w h e n ,

h e s aw Da n M ad d en t h at w as M r ,
r ix o n s h u nts m an .

,

co m i n g o n the m as t er s best h o rse d o w n th e b ill as h ard

,

as ever h e w e nt a t t h e ta i l o f t h e h o u nd s M i ck s m i n d .

i n sta n tl y m isgave h i m th at all w as n ot r i gh t s o h e stood ,

o u t i n th e very m i d d le o f t he road , a n d c a u gh t h ol d o f

D an s b rid le w h e n h e ca me u p

.

,

M i ck d ear for th e l ove o f h eave n ! d o n t stop m e
,

cr i ed Da n .

Wh y w h at s th e h urry ? sa i d M i ck

.
,

,


O h t h e m aster ! h e s o h e s o ff h e l l n ever cross,

a h orse agai n ti l l th e day o f j u d g m e n t !

Wh y w h at w oul d a i l h i s h o n ou r ? sa i d M i ck ; sure
,

i t is n o later tha n yesterday m orn i n g th at I w as talk i n g to .

h i m a n d h e stou t an d h earty ; an d says h e to m e , M i ck

, ,

says h e

S to u t an d h earty w as h e ? an s w ered M add e n ; an d

w as h e n o t o u t w i t h m e i n th e ke n nel l ast n igh t w h e n I ,

w as feed i n g th e d o g s ; an d d id n t h e co m e o u t t o th e stable

,

a n d gi ve a bal l to Peg F u ll a w ay w ith h i s o w n h an d an d ,

tel l m e h e d r id e th e o ld G en era l to day ; an d sure sai d

-
,

D a n w
, i p i n g h is eyes w i t h th e sleeve o f h is coat w ho d ,

h ave th o u g h t th a t t h e rst t h i n g I d s e e th i s m orn i n g w as

th e m i stress stan d i n g at m y bed sid e an d bi d d i n g m e get U p -

,

a n d ri de o ff l i ke re for D octor Gal w ay ; fo r th e m aster had

g o t a t an d,
poor Dan s grief ch o k ed h i s voi ce

o
h ,

M ick ! if yo u h ave a heart i n y o u r u n o ver y o u rsel f o r , ,

sen d t h e g o s s o o n fo r K ate F i n n i g an the m i d w i fe ; s he s a ,

.
'

c ruel ski l fu l w o m an an d m ay be s h e m i gh t save th e m as

,

ter ti l l I ge t th e doctor
, .

Da n stru ck h is spu rs i n to th e h u nter an d M i ch ael ,

N oo na n u n g o ff h is n e w ly m en ded bro g u es an d cu t -
,

a cross the el ds to K ate Fi n n i ga n s ; bu t n ei t h e r th e d o c

to r n or K at ty w as o f a ny avail , a n d th e nex t n i ght s m o o n

 T HE D E AT H C O AC H . 1 67

s aw l
B al y g ib b li n and m ore

s t h e pi tya h ouse o f m ou r n
ing .

T HE DE AT H C OA C H .

XXV II I .

T I S m i d n i gh t ! - h o w gl oo m y an d dark !
B y J u pi t er there s n o t a s t ar !

Ti s f ear f u l ! ti s aw f u l l an d hark !

Wh at sou n d i s th at co m es fro m a far ?

S ti l l rol l i n g an d ru m bl in g that sou n d
,

M akes n earer and nea r er a p p roac h ;

D o I t r e m b le o r i s i t th e gr o u nd 7

L ord save u s ! w h at i s i t Pa c oach !

,

A coach ! b th at coach h as n o h ead ;

ut

A n d th e h orses are hea d less as i t :

O f th e d ri ver the sa m e m ay be said ,

A n d the passengers i n si d e w h o s it .

S ee th e h eel s ! ho w th ey y o e r the sto nes !

w

A n d w h i rl as t h e w h i p i t goes crack :
,

Th eir spokes are of dea d m e n s thi g h bo nes ,

A n d the pol e i s the Sp i n e o f th e back !

T h e h a m m er cl oth , s h abby d i s p l ay
-
,

Is a pal l r at h er m ilde w d by da m ps ;

1 68 THE D E AT H oo Ac H .

A n d to l i gh t t h i s st r a n ge coac h o n its w ay ,
Tw o h oll o w Sku l l s h an g u p fo r la m ps !
F ro m th e gl oo m o f R ath c o o n e y c h urch yar d , -

Th ey d as h d o w n th e h i l l o f G l an m i re ;
P ass Lota i n gal l op as h ard
A s i f h orses w ere n ever t o t i re !

W i th peopl e t h us h eadl ess ti s f u n

T o d ri ve i n suc h furi ou s career ;

S i nc e he adlo ng th e i r h orses can t ru n ,

N o r coach m a n b e he ady fro m beer .

V ery steep is th e Ti vol i lan e ,

B u t U p h i l l t o th e m i s as d o w n ;
-

N o r th e ch ar m s o f Wood h i l l can detai n

Th ese D u llah an s ru sh i n g t o to w n .

C oul d th ey feel as I ve fel t i n a so n g

A S p el l that f orbade th e m d e p art ;

Th ey d a l i n geri n g v is it prol o n g
-

A n d af ter thei r h ead l ose th e ir h eart !

N
o m atter ! ti s past t w el ve o cl o ck ;
-

Th ro u gh th e streets th e y s w eep o n l i k e t h e w i nd ,
A n d tak i n g th e road to B lackro ck ,
,

C ork c ity is s o o n l eft beh i nd .

S h ou l d th ey h u rry th u s reckl ess al on g ,

T o s u pp er i nstead o f to b e d ,

Th e l an d l ord w i l l su rely be w ro n g ,

I f h e charge i t at s o m u c h a h ead !

Y e t mine h ost m ay s u ppose th e m t o o poor

To bri n g to h i s w ealth an i n crease ;
A s ti l l n o w al l w h o d ro ve to h i s d oo r ,
,

P o s s e s s d at lea s t o ne cr o w n a p iece

-
.

Up th e D e ad w h il l th ey are ro ll d ;
o m an s

B o r e e n m an n ah i s qu ite o u t o f si gh t ;
B al l i nte m pl e th ey reach a n d beh ol d ! ,

A t it s c h u rc h yard t h ey sto p and al i gh t

-
.
 T HE HE A D L E s s H O R SE MA N . 1 69

Wh o s there ? said a v o i ce fro m th e grou n d ,

W e ve n o roo m fo r th e pl ace i s qu ite ful l

.
,

0 ! roo m m u st be speed ily f ou n d ,

F or w e co m e f ro m the par i s h o f S ku l l .

T hou gh M urph ys a n d C ro w l eys a p p ea r

O n h ead s t o nes of deep le tt e r d p ri d e ;
-

Th ou g h Scan n e ls an d M u r le y s l ie here,
F i tz ge r ald s a n d Too nies besid e ;

Y et here for th e n i gh t w e l i e d o w n
T o m orro w w e Speed o n th e gale ;
-

F or h av i n g n o hea d s o f o u r o w n ,

We seek t he O ld Head o f K i nsal e .

T HE H E A D LE SS H O R SE MA N .

XX I X .

GO D peed y o u an d a safe j ourney t h i s n i gh t t

S ,
u ,

C h arle y ,
ejac u l ated th e m aster o f th e l i ttl e s
h o use at B al ly h o o le y aft er h i s ol d f rie n d an d go
m e r C h arley C u l nan e w h o at l en gth h ad t u rned
, , f ace
h o m e w ard s w i t h th e pros pe ct o f as d reary a rid e an d as
,

dark a n i gh t as ever f e ll u p o n t h e Blac k w ater al o n g th e ,

bank s o f w h i c h h e w as abo u t t o jo u rney .

C har l ey C u l nan e k n e w the co u ntry w ell a nd m oreover , , ,

w as as ho ld a r i d er as any M al l o w b o y that ever r attle d

-

a f o u n y e ar ol d u po n D r u m r u e race course
- -
He h ad go n e .

to F e r m oy i n t h e m orn i n g, as w el l f o r th e p u r p ose o f p ur
I5
1 70 T H E HE A D L E s s HO RSE M A N .

c h as i n g so m e i n gred i ents r e qu i red for t h e C hr i st m as d i n

n e r by h i s w i fe as to grati f y h i s o w n van i ty by h av i n g
, ,

n e w re i ns tted to h is s n a f e i n w h ic h h e i nte nded sh o w ,

i n g o ff th e o ld m are at t he approac h i n g S t S tep h e n s d ay .

h unt
C harley d i d n o t get o u t o f F er m oy u n ti l l ate ; f o r al
.

t h oug h h e w as no t o n e o f yo u r n asty part i cular sort o f

f el l o w s i n any th i n g t h at rel ated t o t he co mm o n O ccu r
r e n c e s o f l ife yet i n al l t h e appo i nt m e n ts co n nected w ith
,

h u n ti n g r i d i n g leapi n g i n sh ort i n w h ate ver w as c o n

, ,
n e c t e d w ith t h e o l d m are
w as th e d ev i l to
la
p se
, ,
C harley the saddl ers sai d
, , ,
A n i l l u strati o n o f th i s fast i d i
.

o u s n e s s w as a ff orde d by h i s go i n g su ch a d istan ce for h is

s n al e br i d le M al l o w w as fu l l t w el ve m i le s nearer
.

C h arl ey s far m (w h i ch l ay j u st th ree quarters of a m il e

b el o w C arr i ck ) t h an F e r m o y ; b u t C h arl ey h ad qu arrelle d

w i th al l th e M al lo w sadd lers fro m h ard w ork i n g an d h ard ,

-

d r i n k i n g T i m C lan cey U p t o M r R y an w ho w rote h im

, .
,

s el f S add ler t o th e D u h allo w H u n t ; an d n o o n e cou l d
co n ten t hi m i n al l parti c u l ars bu t h o nest M i c hael T w o m ey
o f Fer m oy w h o used to assert a n d w h o w il l d o u bt i t
,

th at h e coul d stitc h a saddle bette r th an th e l ord l ieu tena n t, -

al th o u gh th ey m ade hi m al l as o n e as ki n g o ver Irelan d .

Th i s delay i n th e arran ge m e n t o f th e s n al e bri d l e d i d

n o t all o w C harl ey C u l nane to pay s o l o n g a v isit as h e h ad

at rst i nten ded to h i s o ld frie n d a nd gossi p C o n B u ckl ey , ,

o f th e Harp o f E ri n C o n h o w ever k n e w th e val u e

.
, ,

o f ti m e ,
an d i n s i sted u p o n C harl ey m ak i n g good u s e o f
w h at h e h ad to s are I w o n t bother o u w ai ti n g for

p .
y

w ater C harl ey b ecau se I th i n k yo u l l h av e en o u gh o f that
, ,

sa m e before y o u get h o m e ; s o d ri n k O ff you r l iqu o r m an ,

.

It s as g o od p ar liamen t as ev er a gen tle m a n tasted ay an d

, ,

h oly ch u rch t o o for i t w i l l bear x w ate r s a n d carry t h e

, ,

he ad a f ter that m ay be ,
.

C h arley i t m ust he con fessed n oth i n g l oath dran k s u c

, , ,

cess to Co n an d success to the j ol l y Harp o f E ri n w i t h
, ,

i ts head O f beau t y an d i ts stri n gs of th e h ai r o f gol d an d ,

t o the i r better a cq u ai n ta n ce an d s o o n fro m th e botto m , ,

o f h i s so u l u nti l th e botto m o f th e bottl e re m i nded h i m

,

t h at Carr i c k w as at th e botto m o f th e h il l o n th e othe r

 T H E H E A DL E ss H O R S E MA N . 1 71

sid e o f
Castleto w n R och e an d th at h e h ad go t n o farth er
,

o n h i s j o u rn e y tha n h is gos s ip s at B all h o o le cl ose

-
y y t o ,

the b ig gate o f Co n va m ore Catch i n g h ol d of h i s o iLs k in .

h at t herefore w h i l st C o n Bu ckl ey w en t to th e cu pboard

, ,

f o r a n other bottle o f the real st u ff
h e regularly as i t i s , ,

ter m ed b o l ted fro m h is frien d s h os p ital ity darted to th e

,

,

stabl e ti gh ten ed h i s girths an d pu t th e o ld m are i nto a

, ,
canter to w ard s h o m e .

Th e road f ro m B ally h o o le y to Carr i ck fol l o w s p retty

n earl y th e course o f the B lack w ater occasi o nal l y d i v e r
g ,

i n g f ro m th e ri ver and p assi n g thr o u gh rath er w il d sc enery ,

w h e n contrasted w i th the b eautifu l seats that ador n its

ban ks . Charl ey cantered gai ly regard less o f th e rai n , ,

w h i ch as h i s f rien d C o n h ad anti ci p ated fel l i n torren ts :

, ,

th e good w o m a n s c u rrants an d ra isi ns w ere carefu l ly

packe d bet w ee n th e fo l d s o f h i s y eo m a nry cloak w h ich ,

C harle y w h o w as pro u d o f sh o w i n g th at he bel o nged to

,

th e Royal M al l o w Li gh t H orse V o l u nteers

a l w ays ,

str ap p ed to th e sa d d le befo re h im a n d took care never to

d estro y the m i l itar y e ff ect o f by pu ttin g i t o u A w ay h e
,

w e n t S i n g i n g l ike a th rush
S p o rt in g , b e lle in g , d an ci n g , d r i n k i n g,
B r e ak i n g w i n d o w s (hi cc up ! ) s i n k i n g ,
Eve r r ak i n gn e v e r t h i n k i n g ,
Li ve t he r ak e s o f Mall o w .

S pe n d i n g fas t e r t han i t c o me s ,
B e at ing(hi c c up , h i c , ) an d d un s ,

- b
D u hall o w s t r u e e g o tt e n s o n s ,
k
L i v e t he r a e s o f M all o w .

Not w i th stan d i n g that the v isi t to th e jol l y Har p o f

E ri n h ad a l ittle i n creased the n at u ral co m pl acen cy o f
h is m i n d th e d ren ch i n g o f th e n e w s n al e rei n s bega n to
,

d ist u rb h i m ; an d the n fo ll o w ed a trai n o f m o re anx i o u s

t h o u gh t s tha n even w ere occasion e d by th e drea d ed d efeat
o f th e p r id e o f h is l on g anti ci ated tu r n o u t o n S t S te
p
-
.

p h e n s day I n a n h o u r o f g ood f el l o w sh i w he n h i s
p
.
,

heart w as w ar m a n d h i s hea d n ot o ver cool C h arl e y h ad

, ,

backed the o ld m are a gai nst M r J e p hs o n s bay ll y D es d e .

m on a f o r a neat h u nd red and h e n o w f el t s o re m isgi v i ngs

,
 1 72 T H E HE A DL E s s H O R S E M AN .

as t o t h e p r ud e n c e of th e m atc h . In a e s l s gay to n e h e
c o nt i n ued

Livi ng s h o r t , b u t me rr y l iv es,
Go i n g w he e th
r e de vil d i ve r s,

Ke e p i n g

Ke e p i n g h e m uttered as th e o l d m are h ad red u ced ,

h er canter to a trot at the botto m o f K i lcu m m er H i l l .

C h arley s eye fel l o n th e o ld w all s th at b el o n ged i n f or m er ,

ti m es to th e Te m plars : b u t th e si l en t gl oo m o f th e ru i n
,

w as b roke n o nly b y th e h eavy rai n w h i c h S l ashed an d

p
pattered o n th e gravesto nes H e the n l o oked u p at t he .

s k y t o s e e i f th ere w as a m o n g t h e cl o ud s any h o e s f o r
, , p ,

m ercy o n h is n e w s na f e re i n s ; a n d n o soo ner w ere h is

e y es l o w ered th a n h i s atten ti o n w as arrested by a n o bjec t
,
s o extraord i nary as al m ost l ed hi m t o dou bt th e e vi d e nc e

o f h is se n ses Th e h ead apparen tl y o f a w h i te h ors e ,

.
, ,
w i t h s h ort cropped ears l arge O e n n ostr i l s a n d i mm en s e
p ,
e y es see m ed rap i d ly t o fol l o w h im N o co n n e x i o n w i t h
,

b ody legs o r ri der co ul d poss i bl y be traced the h ea d

.

, , ,
ad v an ced Ch arl ey s o l d m are t o o w as m oved at th i s u n

, ,
n atu ral s i g h t an d s n ort i n g v i ol en tl y i n creased h er t rot U p
, ,

th e h i l l Th e h ead m oved for w ard an d p assed o n : C h ar

.
,
l e y pu rsu i n g i t w i th asto n i shed aze a n d w on d eri n g by
, g ,
w h at m ea ns an d f o r w h at p u rpose th i s d etac hed h ea d
, ,
t h u s pro ceed ed t hr o u gh t he ai r d i d n o t perce i ve th e c o r ,
r es o nd i n g body u n ti l h e w as s u d d en ly startled by nd i n g
p
i t cl ose at h is sid e C h arl ey t u r n ed to exa m i n e w h at w as
.

th u s s o soc i abl y j oggi n g o n w i th h i m w h e n a m ost u n e x ,

am p le d ap ariti o n prese nted itsel f to h i s v i e w
p A gu re , .

w h o se h ei h t j u d gi n g as el l th e obsc u r i ty o f t h e
g ( w as

o be a t least e i ght
.

n i gh t w o u l d per m i t h i m h e co m p uted
) t
f eet w as seated o n th e b ody a n d l egs o f a w h i te h o r se ful l
,

e i ghtee n h an d s a n d a h alf h i gh I n th i s m easu re m e n t .

C harle y cou l d n o t be m i staken f o r h i s o w n m are w as ex ,

ac t l fteen h a nds an d th e body that t h u s o e d al o n gsid e

y , j gg
h e co u ld at o n ce dete r m i ne f ro m h i s p rac ti ce i n ho r s e e s h ,
,
w as at leas t th ree h and s a n d a h al f h i gher .

A fter th e rst f eel i n g o f aston i sh m ent w h i ch fou n d ,

v e n t in t he e xcla m at i o n I m s ol d n o w f o r e ver ! w as

 T H E H E ADL E ss HORSE MA N . 1 73

o ver t h e at ten ti on o f Charley b e i n g a kee n Sports m an

, , ,

w as n at u ral ly d irected to th is extraord i nary bod y ; a nd

h av i n g exa m i ned i t w i th the e y e o f a con n o isse u r b e p r o ,

c e e d e d to reco n n o itre th e u re s o u n u s u all y m o u nted w h o

g ,

h ad h i t h erto re m ai ned per fec t ly m ute Wi sh i ng to s e e .

w h ether h i s co m an i o n s sil e n ce pr o ceeded fro m b ad t e m
p
per w an t o f co n versat i o nal p o w ers o r f ro m a d i st aste to
, ,

w ater an d t h e
,
f ear that the Ope n i ng o f h i s m o u t h m i gh t
su b ject h i m to h ave i t lled b y th e rai n w h i ch w as th e n ,

d ri f ti n g i n v i ole n t g u sts ag ai n s t t he m C h arley e nd e avoured ,

t o catch a S i gh t o f h is co m p an i o n s face i n order to for m ,

an O p i n io n o n that p o i nt B u t h is v i si o n f ai led i n carr y i n g

.

h i m farther th an th e top o f th e collar o f th e gu r e s c o at

,

w h i c h w as a scarlet si n gle breasted h u n t i n g frock h avi n g

-
,

a w aist o f a very o ld fash i o ne d cu t reach i n g t o th e sa d d le

-
,

w i th t w o h u ge sh i n i n g b u tto n s at a b o u t a yard d istan ce

b eh i n d I o u g ht t o see f arther tha n th i s too th o u gh t
.
, ,

C harl ey al th o u gh h e i s m o u nted o n h is h i gh h orse l ike

, ,

m y cousi n Darby w h o w as m ad e b aro ny co n sta b l e las t

,

w eek u nl e s s t is Co n s w h is k ey that h as b l i n ded m e e n

,

ti rel y . H o w ever see farther h e cou l d n o t an d a fter
, ,

strai n i n g h i s eyes for a consi d erabl e ti m e to n o pu r pose ,

h e e x cl ai m ed w i th p u re ve x ati o n By th e bi g bri d ge o f
,

,

h l al lo w i t i s n o h ead at all h e h as !
,
L ook agai n
C harl ey C ul n ane sai d a h oarse v oi ce
, , ,

t h at see m ed to proceed fro m u nder the ri gh t ar m o f the

g u re .

C harl ey d id l ook agai n a n d n o w i n th e proper pl ace , ,

f o r h e clearl y s aw u nder the a f oresai d ri gh t ar m th at head

, ,

fro m w h i ch the voi ce h ad p rocee d ed an d s u c h a h ead n o ,

m ortal e v er s aw b efo r e I t l ooke d l ike a large crea m

.

c hee s e h u n g r o u n d w i th blac k p u d d i n gs ; n o s peck o f col o u r

e nl i vene d the ash y p ale ness o f t he depre s s ed featu r es ; t h e
sk i n lay stretch e d over th e u nearth l y s u r face al m ost l i k e ,

the parch m e nt head o f a d r u m T w o er y e y es o f p r o .

d igio u s ci rc u m f eren ce w ith a s t r an ge an d i rre g u l ar m o t i o n

, ,

ashe d l i k e m eteors U p o n C harl e y an d to c o m ple t e al l a , ,

m o u t h re ac he d f ro m ei ther e x tre m i ty o f t w o e ar s w h i c h ,

pee p e d f ort h fro m u n der a p ro f usi o n o f m atted locks o f

l u s treless b l ack ness Th i s h ead w h ich t h e g u re had e vi
.
,
.

"
15
 W
1 74 T HE HE A D L E ss H O R SE M A N .

d e n tly h i t h erto co n ceal ed fro m C h arley s e ye s n o w b u r s t

U po n h i s v ie w i n al l i ts h id eo usness

C h a rl ey al th o u g h a
'

.
,

l ad Of p ro verb ial co urage i n the cou n ty o f C ork , yet co u l d

n o t b u t feel h i s n erves a l ittl e sh ake n by th i s u nex pe c te d

v i si t f ro m th e h ead l ess h orse m an w h o m h e co n si dered h is

,

f el l o w travel le r m u st b e
-
Th e cropped c ared h ead o f t h e
.
-

gi gan ti c h orse m o ved stead ily for w ar d al w ay s keepi n g ,

f ro m Si x t o e i g h t y ard s i n ad va n ce T h e h orse m an n u .
,

ai ded by h i p o r Spur an d d i sd ai n i n g th e u s e o f sti rr u ps,

,

w h i c h dan gl ed u sel essly fro m th e sad d le fol l o w ed at a tro t ,

by C harl e y s s id e h is h ideou s h ead n o w l ost beh i n d t he

,

l ap p et o f h is coat n o w starti n g fort h i n al l it s h orror as

, ,

th e m ot i o n o f th e h orse caused h is ar m t o m ov e t o a n d
t). Th e gro u n d sh ook u n d er th e w e i gh t o f i ts su p er
n atural burde n a n d th e w ater i n th e p o ols beca m e ag i tated
,

i n to w aves as h e trotted by th e m .

O n they w e n the ad s w i th ou t bod i es an d bod i es w i t h ,

o u t head s T he d ead l y s i l en ce o f ni gh t w as broke n o nl

.
y
by th e fearfu l clatteri n g o f h oofs an d th e d i stan t s o u n d o f
,

th u n d er w h i c h r u m b led a b o ve t h e m y s t i c h il l o f C e c au n e
,

a M o n a F i n nea C h arley w h o w as n at u ral l y a m erry

.
,

h earted a n d rath er a tal k ati ve fell o w h ad h i therto f elt

, ,

ton gue ti ed by ap p re h e n si o n b u t n d i n g h is co m pa n i o n
-
,

sh o w ed no evi l d ispositi o n to w ard s h i m a n d h av i n g b e ,

c o m e so m e w h at m o r e reco n c i le d to th e Patago n ia n d i m e n
s i o ns o f th e h orse m an a n d h i s h ead le s s s t eed pl u cked u
p ,

al l h i s co u rage an d th u s ad d r essed th e s t ra n ger :

,

Wh y th en y o u r h o n ou r r i des m igh ty w el l w i th ou t
, ,

th e st irru p s !


H u m ph , gro w led the h ead f ro m u n der th e h o r s e m a n s

ri gh t ar m .

Ti s n o t an o v er c i vi l a ns w er th ou gh t C h arl ey ; bu t
,

n o m a t ter h e w as taugh t i n o n e o f th e m ri d i n g h ou ses

,
-
,

m ay b e a n d th i n ks n oth i n g at all abou t b u m pi n g h i s l eat he r

,

breech es at th e rate o f t e n m iles an h o ur I ll tr y h im o n .

t h e other track A hem . sa i d C h a r l ey cleari n g h is th roa t , ,

a n d feel i n g a t th e sa m e ti m e rath er d au nte d at th is seco n d

atte m pt to establ i sh a co nv ersatio n A h e m ! t h at s a.

m i ghty neat coat o f y o u r h o n o u r s al th o u g h t is a l itt le

,

t o o lo n g i n t h e w a i s t for t h e prese n t c u t .
 THE H EA D L E S S H O R S E M A N . 1 75

Hu m ph gro w led aga i n th e h ead
, .

Th i s sec o n d h u m ph w as a terri ble th u m p i n the face to

p oor C harl ey w h o w as f airly bothered to k n o w w h at s u b
,

j c e t h e co u l d start th at w o u l d p rov e m ore agreeable .

T i s a sens i bl e h ea d th ough t C h arley al th ough an

, ,

u gl y on e f o r
,
tis p l ai n en o u gh th e man d oes n ot l ike at

te ry .

A th ird at t e m p t h o w ever C harley w as deter m i ned
, ,

t o m ake an d h avi n g f a iled i n h is observati on s as t o th e

, l

ri d i n g a n d coat o f h i s fel l o w travel ler th ou gh t h e w o u l d ~

,

just d r o p a trii n g al l u sio n to th e w on der f u l h eadless h orse ,

th at w as j oggi ng o n s o soc iably b esid e h i s ol d m are ; a n d
as C harl e y w as co n sidered a b ou t C arri ck to be v ery k n o w
i n g i n h orses b esi des bei n g a ful l p ri vate i n the R oyal

W
, ,

M allo w L igh t Horse V olu nteers w h i c h w ere every o n e ,

o f th e m m o u nted l ike re al Hessian s h e fel t rat h er san gu i n e ,

as to t h e resu l t o f h i s th i rd atte m p t .

T o be s u re th at s a b rave h orse you r h on our r id es
,

reco m m en ced t h e perseveri n g C h arley .

Y o u m ay s ay that w i th y ou r o w n u gl y m outh , ,

gro w led th e head .

C harl ey th o u gh n o t m u ch attered by th e co m p l i m ent

, ,

n everthele s s ch u ckled at h is success i n O btai n i n g an ans w er ,

an d th u s con ti n u ed !

M ay be yo u r h on ou r w oul d n t be after r i d i n g h i m

across th e co u ntry ?

ill y o u try m e C harl e y ? sai d th e head w i th a n
, ,

i n ex p ressi b l e l o ok o f ghastly d el i g h t .

Fai th and that s w hat I d d o res p o nded C harl ey
, , ,
o nly I m afrai d th e n i gh t bei n g s o dark o f la m i n g th e

, ,

o l d m are an d I v e every h al f pe n n y o f a h u n d r d

o u nds

, p

o n h er heel s .

T h is w as true e nough ; C h arl e y s courage w as n oth i n g
dash ed at the h ea d less h orse m a n s p r O p o s al ; an d there

n ever w as a steeple chase n o r a f o x chase ri d i n g o r le api n g

-
,
-
,

i n th e co u n try that C harley C u l nan e w as n o t at it an d

, ,

f ore m ost i n i t .

Wil l
o u take m w ord sai d th e m a h carried
y y n w o ,

h i s h ead s s n u gly u n der h i s ri gh t ar m for the safety o f

o
,

y ou r m are ?
Do ne s ai d C harl e an d a ay they started h lte
, y; w ,
e r
1 76 T HE HEA D LE ss H O R SE MA N .

skelter o ver every th i n g d itc h an d w al l , po p p o p th e

, , , ,

o ld m are n ever w e n t i n s u ch styl e even i n broad d ayl i gh t : ,

a nd Ch arl ey h ad j u st th e start o f h is co m pan i o n w h e n the ,

h oarse v o i ce c al led o u t C harley C u l n ane , C h arley m an, , ,

s top f o r y o u r l ife stop ! ,

C harl e y pul led U p h ard Ay sai d h e
y o u m ay .
, ,

beat m e by th e h ead b ecau se i t al w ays g o es s o m u c h b e

,

fore y o u ; but i f th e bet w as n eck an d n eck an d th at s th e - -
,

go bet w ee n th e O l d m are an d D esde m o na , I d w i n i t h o l

lo w !
I t appeared as i f th e stran ger w as w el l a w are o f w h at
w as passi n g i n C harley s m i nd f o r h e s ud de n l y broke o u t

,
qu i te l oq u aci ous .

C h arley C ul nan e says h e , y o u h ave a sto u t soul i n

,

o u a n d are e v ery i n ch o f

o u a good rider I ve t ri ed
y , y .

o u a nd I ou gh t t o k no w ; a nd th at s the sort o f m an for

y ,

m y m on ey A h u n d red years i t is s i n ce m y h orse an d I

.

broke o u r n ecks at th e bot to m o f Kil c u m m er h i ll a n d ,

e ver si nce I h a v e be e n tr y i n g to get a m an th at dared to

r i d e w i th m e an d never fo u n d o n e befo re Keep as y o u
, .
,

h ave al w ays do n e , at the tai l o f th e h o u nds n ever bal k a ,

d i tc h n o r tu rn a w ay fro m a sto n e w al l an d th e h eadle ss

, ,

h orse m a n w i l l n ever desert y o u n or th e o ld m are .

C h arley i n a m az e me n t l ooked to w ard s th e stran ger s
, ,

r i gh t ar m f o r th e pu rpose o f seei n g i n h is f ace w heth er o r

,

n o t h e w as i n ear n est b u t be h o ld ! th e head w as sn u gl y

,

l od ged i n th e h u ge pocket o f th e h orse m an s scarl et h u nt

i n g coat
-
T h e h orse s head h ad asce nded per p end ic u larl y
.

abov e the m a n d h is extraord i n ary co m p an i o n risi n g

, ,

q u ickl y aft er h is avant co u re u r va n ish ed fro m th e asto -

,

n is h e d gaze O f C h arley C ul nan e .

C harley as m ay be S uppo s ed w as l ost i n w ond er de

, , ,

l i gh t a n d per p lex i ty ; th e p el ti n g rai n th e w i f e s p u dd i n g

th e n e w s n afe eve n the m atc h agai n st sq u i re J e p hso n

, , ,

all w ere forgotten ; n oth i n g c oul d h e th i n k o f n oth i n g ,

co u l d h e tal k o f b u t th e h ead less h orse m an H e tol d it

, .
,

d i rectl y th at h e go t h o m e to J udy ; h e t ol d i t th e f ol l o w i n g
,

m orn i n g to all th e n e i gh bour s ; a n d h e tol d i t to th e h u n t

o n S t S teph e n s d a y : b u t w h at ro voked h i m after all
.
p
th e p ai ns h e took i n descri bi n g th e h ead th e h orse a n d , ,

th e m an w as t h at o n e a n d al l attri buted th e creati o n of t h e

,
 T HE HE A DL E ss HORSEMAN . 1 77

h orse m an to h i s fr i end Co n B u ckl ey s X w ate r
he ad less

parl ia m ent
. Th i s h o w ever S h oul d be tol d that C harl e y s
, , ,

o l d m are beat M r J e p h s o n s bay lly Des d e m o na by

.
, ,

D ia m o nd a n d C harley p oc k eted h is cool hu nd red ; an d i f

,

h e d i d n t w i n by m ea n s o f th e h ead less h orse m an I am

,

su re I don t k n o w any other reason fo r h i s do i n g s o

.
 w o r d D u r r ac han o r D allak an , b y w
is k n o w n , has t h e s ame s i g n i c ati o n

W
D UL L A H A N o r D U L A O H A N s g n e s a dar k s u ll e n p e rs o n T he
in s o me pl ac e s t he g o b li n
It c o me s f r o m D o r r o r D u r r ,
an g e r , o r D u r r ac h , m alic io u s , e r c e , & c M S c o mmu n i c at i o n
i i
.
h i ch
.

W
. . .

f r o m t he l at e M R E D A R D O

R E Y ILL

W W
. .

c
.

T he ec t n es s o f thi s l as t e tymo l o gy may b e qu e s ti o ne d as

o rr

e vi d e n tly a c o mp o n e n t p ar t o f t h e w o r d
,

b l ac k is .

T he D e at h C o ac h o r H e adl e s s C o ac h an d H o r s e s is c all e d in
, ,

Ir elan d C o ac h a b o w e r ; an d i ts appe ar an c e i s g e n e rall y re gar de d

as a s i g n o f de at h o r an o me n o f s o me mi s fo r t un e
, .

W
T he b e li e f i n t he appe ar an c e o f he adl e s s p e o pl e an d ho rs e s ap
a t o be li k m o s t p o pu l ar s u p e r s tit i o n s w i d e ly e x t e n d e d
p e rs e
In E n gl an d s e e t he S pe ct at o r (N o 1 1 0) f o r me n t i o n o f a s p i r i t
.
, ,

.
,

that had ap pe are d in t he s hape o f a b l ac k ho rs e w itho ut a he ad .

al e s t he ap p ar iti o n O f t he he adl e s s

In ,
F e n yw h e b n u p e n ,

o m an an d C e yl h e b a n p e n t he he ad le s s ho r s e ar e ge n e r ally
acc r e d it e d M S c o m mu n i c ati o n r o m M I S S
,

I LLI
, ,

.
f AMS .

T he I r i s h D ullahan p u ts me i n m i n d O f a s p e ct r e at D r u mlan r ig
C as t l e o f n o l e s s a pe r s o n t han t he D u c he s s o f Q u e e n s b e r ry
F ai r K i tt y b l o o m i n g yo u ng an d g ay w h o i ns t e ad o f s e tti n g
, ,

re t o t he w o r l d i n m amma s ch ar i o t am u s e s he r s e l f w it h w he e li n g
, , , . ,

h e r o w n h e ad i n a w he e l b ar r o w t hr o u gh t he g re at g all e ry
,

- MS . .

c o m mu n i c ati o n f r o m SI R A L TE R SC O TT.

In S c o tl an d , c e n tly as J an u ary 1 826 th at ve r it ab l e pap e r

so re

W
,

t he Gl as g o w C hr o n icl e r e c o r ds u p o n t he o cc as io n o f s o me s il k
, ,

, ,

w e ave rs b e i n g o u t o f e mp l o yme n t at P ai s l e t h at
V i s i o ns h ave
y
b ee n s e e n o f c ar ts c ar av an s an d c o ac h e s go i n g u p Gle n i e r b r ae s
,
'

, , ,

w it ho u t h o r s e s w ith ho r s e s w it ho ut he ads &c

C e r v an t e s m e n ti o n s t al e s o f t he C ab allo s i n c ab e ca am o n g t h e
.
, ,

c u e n to s d e v i ej as c o n q u e se e n tr e t i e n e n al f ue
g o l as d i l at adas

n o c he s d e l i n vi e r n o , &c .

T he p e o pl e o f B as s e B r et agn e b e li e v e , th at w he n the de at h o f
an y p e rs o n i s at h an d , a h e ar s e d r aw n b y s k e l e t o n s (w hic h t he y
c all c ar r i q u e t d a n an ko u , ) an d c o ve re d w t a w hite s he e t , p as s e s ih
h
b y t he ho u s e w e re t he S ic k p e r s o n li e s , an d t he c re ak i n g o f t he
w he e l s ma b e
y p l ai n l y h e a r d

J o u r n al d e s S c i e n c e s , 1 826 , c om

I LLI I
.

m u n i c at e d b y D R A M GR M M
. .

Se e a sol Thi e le
s D an s lce F o l k e s ag n , vo l. iv .
p 6 6 ,
&
. c .
 TH E F I R D A R R I G .

W
W
he n e e r s u c h w an de r e r s I me e te ,

hi
A s f r o m t e r n ig ht s p o rt s t he y t r u dg e ho me ,
-

i th c o u nte r fe iti ng v o ic e I g ree te ,

A n d c al l t he m o n w it h me t o r o am e
r o ug Th h
w o o ds , t r o u g l ak e s ,h h
ro ug Th h h
b o gs , t r o u g h r a e s ; b k
O r e ls e , u n s e e n e , w it h t he m I g o ,
A ll i n t he n ic k e ,
T o pl ay s o m e t r s, ick
A n d fr o lic k s it , w it h ho , h o , ho ! 0ld S o ng .

D I AR M I D B A N , T HE P I PE R .

XXX .

O N E stor m y n igh t Pa tri ck B urke w as seated i n th e

c h i m ney corner s m ok i n g h is p i p e q u i te co nte n ted ly a fter
.

h i s har d day s w ork ; h i s t w o l ittle b o y s w ere roasti n g p o

"
tato e s i n the ashes w h i le h is rosy da u ghter h eld a s p lin te r
E
,

A sp li n t e r , or s li p o f b o g de al
-
w hic h, b e i n g di ppe d in t all o w is
c
, ,

Us e d as a an dl e .
1 80 D I AR M I D BA WN , T H E P P E I R .

to h e r m ot h e r , seated o n a S ie s te e n w as m e n d i n g a
w ho , ,
"e

r en t i n P atri ck s c o at ; an d J udy th e m ai d w as s i n gi n g

o ld , ,

m erri ly t o th e so u n d o f her w heel , th at kept u p a beauti fu l

h u m m i n g n oise j u s t l ike th e s w eet d ro n e o f a bagp ipe
, .

I n deed they al l see m ed q u ite co nten ted a nd happy ; for t he

stor m h o w led w i th ou t an d t hey w ere w ar m a n d sn u g ,

w ith i n by th e s i d e o f a blazi n g tu r f re
,

I w as j u s t .

th i n ki n g s a i d P atri ck tak i n g th e d u dee n fro m h is m outh
, ,

an d g i v i n g i t a rap o n h is th u m b n ai l t o sh ak e o u t t he -

ashes
I w as j u s t th i nk i n g h o w tha n k f u l w e o u gh t to be to
h ave a s n u g b i t o f a cab i n th i s pel ti n g n i gh t o ver o u r h ead s,

f o r i n al l m y bor n d ays I n ever h eard th e l ike o f i t .

A n d th at s n o l ie f o r y o u Pat sai d his w i fe ; b u t,

, ,

w h i sh t ! w h at n o ise i s th at I har d ? a n d s h e d ropped h e r
w ork u p o n h er k n ees a n d l ooked fearfu l l y to w ards t he

W
,

d oor . Th e V ar g in h ersel f de fe n d u s al l ! cr ied Jud y at ,

t h e sa m e ti m e rapi d ly m ak i n g a p i ou s Si gn o n h er fore h ead ,

i f t is n o t th e ban shee !

H ol d y ou r to n gu e u f ool sa i d P atr i ck
i o nl y
y o ,
t s , ,

th e o l d gate s w i n gi n g i n th e w i n d ; an d h e h ad scarcel y
Spoken w h e n th e d oor w as assa iled by a v i ol e nt k n ocki n g
, .

M ol ly bega n t o m u m bl e her pr ayers an d Ju d y proceed ed ,

t o m u tter over th e m uster r ol l o f sai nts ; th e you n gster s -

s ca m pered O ff t o h i d e th e m sel ves beh i n d th e s ettle bed ; -

th e stor m h o w l ed l o u der an d m ore ercel y th a n ever, an d

th e ra pp i n g w as re n e w ed w ith red ou bled v i ol e n ce

.

h i sh t w h i s ht ! sai d Patri ck
,

w h at a n o i se ye r e

all m ak i n g abo u t n oth i n g at al l J u dy a ro on ca n t y o u .

-
,

go an d s e e w h o s at th e d oor ? f o r n ot w i th stan d i n g h is

,

assu m ed b ravery Pat B u rke p referred th at th e m a i d

,

s h o u l d Ope n t h e d oo r .

Why the n i s i t m e yo u re speak i n g to ? sa i d Judy

, ,

i n th e tone o f asto n i sh m e n t ; a n d is i t cracked m ad y o u

ar e M i ster Burke ; o r i s i t m ay be th at y o u w an t m e t o
, , ,

be r an d a w ay w i th a n d m ade a h ors e o f l ike m y g r an d

, ,

f ath er w as P th e sorro w a s t ep w i l l I sti r to O p en th e d oor ,

i f y o u w ere as great a m an agai n as y o u are P at B u rke , .

B other y o u the n ! a n d h ol d y o u r t on gue a n d I ll go
, ,

m y self . So say i n g u p go t Patri ck , a n d m ad e the best o f
,

S ie s te e n is a lo w b l o c k - lik e sea t , made o f s r awt b ands rmly

sew e d o r b o und to ge t he r .
 D IA R MI D D A W N ,
T HE T M E. I 1 81

h is w th e d oor
ay t o Wh o s th e re ? s ai d he an d h is
.

voice t re m b led m i g h t ily all t h e w h i le I n t he na m e o f .

S a i nt P a t ri ck w h o s th e re ?
,

"
l is I P at ans w e re d a

, ,

vo ice w h i ch h e i m m e d i at e ly k ne w t o be t h e y o u n g s q u i r e s
.

I n a m o m en t the d oor w as o pene d an d i n w al k ed a y o u n g

W
,

m an w i t h a g u n i n h i s h and and a br ace o f d og s at h is

, ,

heel s
. Y o u r h o n o u r s h on o u r i s q u i te w e l co m e e n ti re ly

, ,

S ai d P atri ck ; w h o w as a v e ry c i vi l s o r t o f a fel lo w espe ,

c ially t o h is b etters You r h on o u r s h on ou r is q u i t e

.

w e lc o m e ; an d i f ye l l be s o co n d esce n d i n as to de m ea

g n

y o u rse l f b
y taki n g o ff y o u r w e t jacket M ol ly c an gi ve y e ,

a br an n e w b l an k e t an d y e can s it forene n t t he r e w h i l e
,

th e c lOt he s are d ry i n g
Th an k y o u P at sai d t he
.
, ,

Sq u i re as h e w r apt h i m sel f, l i k e M r Weld i n t he prof

, .
,

f e r e d b lan k e t .
"E

B u t w hat m ade y o u k eep m e s o l on g at th e d oor ?
h y then , y o u r h on ou r , t w as all alo n g o f J u d y , there ,

bei n g so m u c h afrai d o f t h e goo d pe o ple ; an d a go o d ri gh t

s he h as , a fter w hat happened t o h er gran d father the Lord

W

r est h i s sou l !


A n d w hat w as th at , P at ? sa i d the squ i re .

Wh y the n y o u r h o n o u r m u s t k n o w t hat Ju d y h ad
, , a
gran d fath er ; an d h e w as o u ld D iar m id Ba w n , the pi pe r,
as per s on able 3 l ook i n g m an as any i n the ve pari shes he
w as ; an d he co u ld pla y the i es s o s w ee t ly , an d m ak e
p p
th e m sp ak e to s u ch perfecti o n , that i t d id on e s e ar t good

h
to h e ar h i m We never had any o n e , for that m a tt e r , in
.

th is s id e o f t h e cou n try l i ke h i m , before o r s i n ce , exc e pt

Ja m es Gan d s e y , that is o w n p i per to Lord H ea d le y h is

W


h o n o u r s lo rd sh i p i s t he real good ge n tle m a n a n d t is M r

.

Gau d s e y s m u s nc that i s t h e prid e o f K i llarney la es

k .

e l l , as I w as sayi n g , D iar m id w as J u d y s g rand father,
and h e ren t e d a s m a ll m o u n t ai n y far m ; a n d h e w as w al k
i n g a b o u t the el d s o ne m oo nl i g ht n i gh t, q u ite m el anch oly
l i ke i n h i m sel f for w a n t o f t he to b accy; bec ause w hy , t h e
r i ver w as ooded , an d he co u ld n ot ge t across t o b u y any ,
an d D iar m i d w o u l d rathe r go t o bed w t h ou t h is s o p p er i
tha n a w h i ff o f t h e d ud ee n Wel l , y ou r h o no u r , j u s t as
.

h e ca m e to t h e o ld f o r t i n t he far eld , w h at s h ould h e s e e ?

.

Se e e ld s
Killame y , 8v o e d. p 228
. .

16
1 82

bu t a
D I AR M I D D A W
N , T HE P IP

l a r ge ar m y o f the go o d peopl e c o u te r e d fo r all

t h e w orl d j ust l i ke th e dragoo ns ! A r e ye all ready ? sa i d
a l i ttl e fel lo w at th e i r h ead d ressed o u t l ike a gener al

N O sa i d a l i ttl e cu r m ud geo n o f a ch ap all d ressed i n

ER
,
.

r e d , fro m th e cro w n o f h is cocked h at to t h e s o le o f h is

boot . N o ge neral

,
sai d b e : if y o u d o n t ge t the F i r
,

d ar r ig a h ors e h e m u s t s tay beh i n d , a n d ye l l l o s e t he

b attle .

Th ere s D i ar m i d B a w n sa i d th e general po i n ti n g t o

, ,

Ju d y s gran dfather yo u r h o nou r m ake a h orse o f h im

, ,

.

o w i t h that m aste r F i r d ar r ig co m es u p t o D i ar m id ,
S

w h o y o u m ay be s ure w as i n a m i gh ty great fri ght ; bu t

, ,

h e deter m i ned , see i n g there w as n o hel p f o r h i m , to put a

bol d face o n th e m atter ; an d s o h e beg an to c ross h i m sel f ,

an d t o s ay s o m e blessed w ord s th at n oth i n g b ad cou l d ,

s tan d before .

Is th at w h at yo u d be after , y o u spal pee n ? sa i d t he

l i ttl e red i m p at the sa m e ti m e gri n n i n g a h orri ble gri n ;

,

I m n o t th e m an t o care a stra w f o r ei ther yo u r w o rd s

o r y ou r cross i n g s S o w i th o u t m ore to d o h e g i ves

.
, ,

p oor D iar m i d a rap w ith th e at si de o f h i s s w ord a n d ,

i n a m o m en t h e w as c han ged i n to a h orse w i th l ittle F ir ,

d ar r ig stuck fast o n h is back .

A w
ay t hey all e w o ver th e w id e o cean l i ke s o m an y ,

w i l d geese screa m i n g a n d chatter i n g al l th e ti m e til l they

, ,

ca m e to Ja m a ica ; a n d there they had a m u rderi n g gh t

w i t h th e goo d peopl e o f that co u ntry Well i t w as al l
.
,

v ery w el l w i th the m an d t h ey st u c k to i t m a nfu ll y an d

, ,

fou gh t i t o u t fa i rly t il l o n e o f t h e Ja m ai ca m e n m a d e a c u t
,

w i t h h i s s w ord u n de r D iar m id s l e f t eye

A n d then s ir .
, ,

y o u se e poor, D i ar m i d l ost h is te m p er e n tirel y a n d h e ,

d ashed i n to th e very m id d le o f th e m w i th F i r d ar r ig ,
m o u n ted U p o n h i s back a nd h e th re w o u t h is h eel s a nd
, ,

w h i sk e d h is tai l abo u t a n d w h eele d an d t urned rou nd a nd

,

ro u nd at su ch a rate , th at h e soo n m ade a f ai r clearance o f

t h e m h orse foot a n d d ragoo ns A t las t D iar m i d s facti o n
, , , .

o t th e bette r al l thro u gh h is m ean s an d th e n they h ad

g , ;
s uch feasti n g a nd rejoi c i n g
, a n d gav e D i ar m id , w ho w as
,

the nest h orse a m o n gst the m all th e b est of every th i n g ,

.

Let every m an take a hand o f to b accy fo r D i ar m i d
B aw n, s ai d t he ge ne r al ; and s o they d id ; a nd aw ay they

 D I A R M I D D A W N, T HE P IPE R . 1 83

e w ,
for t w as getti ng n ear m orn i n g to th e o ld fort back

,

agai n a n d there th ey van ish ed l i ke the m ist fro m t h e

,

m o u ntai n .

When D iar m i d l ooked abou t th e s u n w as risi n g an d

, ,

h e t h o u gh t i t w as al l a d rea m til l he s aw a b i g ri ck o f
,

l o b accy i n th e Ol d f ort an d fel t th e blood r u n n i n g f ro m h is

,

left e y e : fo r s u re e n o u gh h e w as w o u nde d i n th e battl e ,

a nd w o u l d have been k ilt en tirel y i f i t w asn t for a gospel ,

co m posed b y f ather M u rph y th at h u n g abou t h is nec k ever

Si n ce h e h ad the scarlet fever ; an d f o r certai n i t w as en o u gh ,

to h ave gi ve n h i m an other scarlet fever to h ave h ad th e

l i ttl e red m an all n i gh t o n his b ack w h i p an d s p u r f o r th e ,

bare l i fe Ho w ever th ere w as th e to b accy heaped u p i n a

.
,

great heap by h i s side ; an d h e h eard a v o i ce alth ou gh h e ,

coul d s e e n o o n e tel l i n g him That t w as all h i s o w n f o r

, ,

,

hi s good behav io u r i n th e battl e ; an d that w henever F ir

d ar r ig w oul d w an t a h orse agai n h e d k no w w h ere to n d
a cle ver beast as h e n ever rode a better th a n D i ar m i d
,

B a w n Th at s w h at h e sai d s ir
.

, .

Th an k
y o u Pat sa i d th
,
e s qu i re ;
,
i t certa i nly i s a

w o nder f ul story an d I am n o t su rprised at Judy s a l ar m
, .

B u t n o w as th e stor m i s over an d th e m oo n sh i n i n g
, ,

b ri ghtly I l l m ake th e b est o f m y w ay h o m e So s ay

.
,

i n g h e d isrobed h i m sel f o f the blanket p u t o n h i s coat,

, ,

a nd w h istl i n g h i s dogs s e t o ff across th e m o u ntai n ; w h il e

,

P atri ck s t o o d at th e d oor ba w l i n g after h im M ay Go d

,

,

an d th e blessed V irgi n preserve your h o no u r an d kee p ye ,

fro m th e g ood peo p l e ; f o r t w as o f a m oonl i gh t n i gh t l i ke

t h is th at D iar m id Ba w n w as m ade a h orse o f, f o r th e F i r

d ar r ig t o r ide .
 1 84

T E I G UE O F THE LE E .

XX X I .

I C A N T stop i n th e h o u s e I w o n t sto p i n i t fo r all

t he m o n ey th at i s b u ried i n t h e o ld castl e o f C ar r ig r o h an .

If e ve r t here w as s u ch a th i n g i n th e w o r l d lto b e a b u s ed
t o m y face n i g h t an d d ay an d n o b od y to th e fore d oi n g i t !
,

an d t h en i f I m a n gry t o he la u ghe d at w i th a g reat r o a r

, ,

in g h o h o ho ! I w o n t s tay i n th e h o u se after t o n i g ht
-
, , ,

i f there w as n o t an other p lace i n th e co u n t ry t o p u t m y

h e ad u n d e r Th i s an gry sol il oq u y w as p ron o u nced in
.

t h e hal l o f t he o ld m an or h o u se of Car r ig r o h an by Jo h n -

Sheeha n . J oh n w as a n e w serv an t : h e had bee n o n ly

th ree d ays i n t h e h ou se w h i c h h ad th e ch aracter o f bei n g
,

h au n ted an d i n that sh ort space o f t i m e h e had bee n abu sed

,

an d l au ghed at by a v oi ce w h i ch so u nd ed as i f a m an S poke
w ith h i s h ead i n a cask ; n o r co u ld h e d i s cov e r w ho w as
t he speake r o r fro m w h e nce th e voi ce ca m e I l l no t

.
,

s t e p h ere sa i d Joh n ; an d that e nd s the m atter
,
.

H o ho ho ! be qu i et Jo h n S h e e h an , o r els e w ors e w i l l
, , ,

h appen t o y o u .

J oh n i ns tantly r an t o t he h al l w i nd o w as th e w ord s ,

w ere ev i d en tly spo k e n by a perso n i m m ed i at el y o u tsi d e ,

b u t n o o n e w as v i s i b le H e had scarcely pl ace d h i s fac e

. .

at th e pa n e o f glass w h e n h e h e ard an other l o ud

, H o ho , ,

h o ! as i f beh i nd h i m i n the h al l ; as q u i ck as l i g htn i n g he
tur ned h i s h ead bu t n o l i v i n g th i n g w as t o be seen
, .

H o h o h o J oh n !
, , sh o u ted a voi ce that app eared t o
,

c o m e ro m th e l a w n before t h e h ou se ;
f d o y o u th i n k y o u l l

s e e Te i g n e ? o h n ev e r ! as l o n g as o u l i ve ! so leave al o ne
y
,

l ook i n g a fte r h i m a n d m i nd y o u r b u si n ess ; th ere s ple nty

,

o f co m pany to d i n ner fro m C ork t o be here t o d a a n d

y
-
,

tis ti m e y o u h ad t h e c l oth la i d

Lord bless u s ! th ere s m ore o f i t !

.

I ll never s tay

an other day h ere repeated J oh n , .

Hol d you r ton gu e , an d stay w h e re y o u ar e qu ietl y ,
 T E I GU E o r T H E L E E . 1 85

an d play n o tr i ck s o n M r P ratt, as y o u d id o n M r J e r v o is
. .

abo u t th e Spoon s .

J oh n S heehan w as con fou n d ed by th i s add ress fro m h is

i n visi ble perse c u tor b u t ne verth eless b e m u stered courage

,

en o u g h to s ay
Wh o are you co m e h ere an d let m e ,

se e ou if o u are a m a but h e recei ved i n repl y onl y
y y , n ;
a la u g h o f u n earthly deri si o n w h i c h w as fol lo w ed by a
Goo d bye l ll w atc h
,

o u at d i n ner J oh n !

y
-

Lor d bet w ee n u s an d har m ! th i s beats al l ! I l l w atch

,

o u at d i n ner ! m a u w ill ;
'

y y be y o tis the b roa d d ay

l i ght s o ti s n o g h ost ; bu t th i s is a terri ble pl ace a nd th i s

,

,

i s the l ast d ay I l l sta y i n it H o w d oes h e k no w abou t

th e s p oo ns ? if h e tel ls i t I m a r u i ned m an !
.

,

there w as
n o l iv i n g so u l co u l d tel l it to hi m b u t T i m Barrett an d ,

h e s far enough 0 5 i n th e w il d s o f Botany Bay n o w s o

'

h o w co u ld h e kno w it I c an t tel l f o r th e w orl d !

,

B ut

w h at s th at I s e e th ere at th e c orner o f the w al l ? tis

n o t a m an ! o h w hat a f ool I am ! tis o n l y th e o ld stu m p

,

o f a tree B ut th i s i s a shocki ng p lace I l l n ever s t 0

p i n
it fo r I ll leave th e h ou se to m orro w ; th e very l ook o f i t
,

.

is e no u gh to fri ghte n an y o n e .

The m ansio n had certai n ly an a i r o f d esol at i o n ; i t w as

sit u ated i n a la w n w h ich had noth i n g to break its u n i fo r m
,

l e v el sa fe a fe w t u fts o f narc iss u ses and a co u p l e o f o ld

,

t rees c oeval w ith th e b u i l d i n g The hou se stood at a shor t .

d ist ance f ro m th e road ; i t w as u p w ard s o f a ce nt u ry o l d ,

an d T i m e w as d oi n g h i s w ork u p o n i t ; its w al ls w ere w e a

th e r stai ne d i n al l col o u rs i ts r o o f sh o w ed v ari o u s w h ite
-
,

patc hes i t had n o l ook o f co m f ort ; al l w as d i m and d i n gy

,

w ith ou t and w i t h i n there w as a n ai r o f gl oo m o f de arted

, p ,

and departi n g greatness w h i c h h ar m on i ze d w el l w ith t h e

,

e x t e ri or I t req u i red all th e ex u beran ce o f y o u th an d o f

.

ai e ty t o re m o ve the i m pressio n al m ost a m ou n ti n g to aw e

g , ,

w i th w h ic h y o u trod the h u ge sq u are h al l p aced al on g the ,

g al l e r y w h ich s u rro u nded th e h al l o r ex p lored the l on g ,

ra m bl i n g p assages b el o w stai rs T he bal l roo m as the .

-
,

l ar ge dra w i n g roo m w as cal led an d several other a p art

-
,

m e n ts w ere i n a state o f decay : th e w al l s w ere stai ned

.

w i t h da m an d I re m e m ber w el l the sensati o n o f aw e

p;
w h ic h I f el t creepi n g over m e w hen boy as I w as a n d fu l l , ,

o f bo ish l ife a nd w i ld and arden t sp i r i ts , I d e sc e nded t o

y
*
,
16
1 86 T E IG UE o r T H E L E E .

t he va u l t s ; all w it h ou t an d w i th i n m e b e c ame ch i l l e d b e
n ae th thei r da mp nes s a n d g l oo m th e i r ex t e n t t o o terr i , ,

e d m e ; n o r co u ld the m erri m en t o f m y t w o sch ool fe l lo w s ,

w h ose father a re s p ec t a b l e clerg y m an re n t ed t h e d w ell i n g

W
, ,

f o r a t i m e d i s pel th e f eel i n g s o f a ro m anti c i m agi nat i o n

, ,

u n t i l I o n ce agai n a ce n d e d t o t he u p per re g io ns
s .

J oh n h ad pre t ty w el l reco vered h i m s el f as t he d i nn e r

h ou r app ro ache d a nd th e seve ral g u e sts arri ve d Th ey
,
.

w ere all s ea t e d at t a b le an d had beg u n t o e nj o y t he e xcel ,

len t re p as t w he n a v oi ce w as hear d fr o m t h e la w n :
,

H o h o h o M r P rat t w o n t y o u gi ve poo r Te i g n e so m e
, , ,
.
,

d i n n e r ? h o h o a n e co m p any y o u ha ve there an d p le nty

, , ,

o f ever y th i n g that s good ; su re y o u w o n t forget poor

Te i g ne ?
J o h n d rop ped th e gl ass h e h ad i n h i s h a nd .

3 h o is tha t ? sai d M r P rat t s broth e r an o i c e r o f .

,

t h e ar t i l le r y .

Th at i s Tei g n e sa i d M r P ratt lau gh i n g w h o m y o u

,
.
, ,

m u st o f te n have hear d m e m en t i o n .

A n d p r ay M r P ratt

,
i n q u i red an ot h er gentle m an ,
.
,

w h o i s Tei g n e ?
Tha t h e re l i e d i s m ore t h a n I ca n tel l N o o ne
, p , .

h as ever b ee n a b le to c atch e ve n a g l i m p se o f h i m I hav e .

be e n o n the w atch fo r a w h ole e ven i n g w i t h t h re e o f m y

s o n s y e t alth o u g h h i s vo ice so m
, , e t i m es so u nde d al m o s t i n
m y ear I co u l d n o t s e e h i m
,
I fanc ie d i n d e e d t hat I s aw.
, ,

a m an i n a w h ite fri e ze j acket p ass i nto t he d oo r fro m th e

gar d e n to th e la w n b u t It co u l d he o n l y fan c y for I fo u n d
, ,

t h e d oo r l o cked w hile the f el lo w w h oever h e i s w as

, ,

l a u g h i n g at o u r tro u b le H e v i si t s u s occ as i on al l y an d .
,

s o m eti m es a l on g i n terval passes bet w een h is v isits as i n ,

th e p rese n t c ase ; i t i s n o w n e arly t w o years si n ce w e heard

that h ol lo w v o ice ou t si d e th e w i n d o w H e has ne ver d on e .

an y i nj u ry that w e k n o w o f an d o n ce w h e n h e brok e a ,

plate h e b ro u g h t o n e b ac k exactly l i ke it
, .

It is ve ry extraord i nary sai d several o f the co m p an y , .

B ut , re m ark ed a gen tle m a n to yo u n g M r Pra t t, .

y o u r father said h e bro k e

a plate ; h o w d id h e ge t i t

w ith o u t y ou r se e i n g h im ?

Wh en h e as k s fo r so m e d i n ner w e p u t i t outs i d e the ,

w i ndo w an d o aw ay ; w h i l st w e w atch h e w i l l n o t t ak e i t
g ,

b u t n o s oo n e r h av e w e w i t h d raw n , t h a n i t is go n e .
 W
r E I GU E o r T H E L E E .
'
1 87

Ho w d o e s he k n o w t h at y o u are w at ch i n g ?
Tha t s m ore tha n I ca n tell b u t b e eit h er k n o w s o r

,

t O n e d a m brothers Ro b ert a nd Ja m es w it h
su
s e c s
y
.
y
m ys e lf w ere i n o u r bac k parl o u r w h ich has a w i n d o w t u to .

th e garden w h e n he ca m e o utsid e an d said H o h o h o !

, , , ,

m ast e r J a m es a n d Robert a nd Hen ry g i ve poor T e ig u e a

, , ,

g l ass o f w h i sky J a m es w e n t o u t o f t h e roo m

.

lled a ,

l ass w i t h w h is k v i n e ar an d sal t an d bro u g h t i t t o h i m

g y g , , , .

Here Tei g ne said h e co m e for i t n o w ,

e ll p u t i t ,

.

,

d o w n the n o n th e step outsi d e th e w i n d o w
, ,
Th is w as .

d o ne a nd w e stood looki n g at i t
, Th ere n o w go a w ay .

, , ,

h e sh o u ted We reti red b u t stil l w atched i t

. H o ho ! , .

,

o u are w atc h i n g T e i u e ; go o u t o f th e roo m n o w or I

y g , ,

w o n t t ake i t We w en t o utsid e th e d oor a n d returne d ;

.

the glas s w as gone and a m o m en t a fter w e h eard h im ,

roari n g an d c u rs i n g fri g htfu lly H e took a w ay th e g lass .

,

b u t th e n e x t d ay th e glass w as o n th e s ton e s te p u n d er th e
w i nd o w an d there w ere c ru m bs o f bread i n th e i n side as
, ,

i f h e had p u t i t i n h i s poc ket ; fro m th at ti m e h e w as n o t

h eard ti l l to day -
.

O h sai d the col o nel I l l ge t a si gh t o f him ; y o u ar e
,

,

n o t used to these th i n gs ; a n o ld sold i er has th e best cha nce ;

an d as I s hall n ish m y d i n ner w ith th i s w i n g I ll b e read y

for h im w he n h e speaks nex t M r B ell , w i ll y o u take a

,

glass o f w i n e w i th m e ?
H o h o ! M r B el l s h oute
, d Te i g n e .
Ho ho ! M r ,
.
, .

B el l y o u w e re a quake r l on g ago H o ho ! M r Bel l

, .
, .
,

u re a prett y boy ; a pretty quaker

y o y o u w ere ; an d n o w

o u re n o q u ake r n o r a n y th i n g e ls e z h o h o ! M r Bell

y , , . .

A n d there s M r P arkes : t o be sure M r P arkes l ook s

.
, .

m i gh t y ne to day w ith h i s po w dered h e ad an d h is g ran d

-
, ,

s i l k stock i ngs an d h i s bra n n e w rak i sh red w aistco at -

A n d there s M r C ol e d id y o u ever s e e s u c h a fel l o u ? a

, .

.
,

pretty co m pany yo u ve bro u ght together M r Pr att : k i l n

, .

d r i ed quakers butter buy i n g b u ckeen s fro m M al lo w lan e

,
- -
,

an d a d ri nk i n g exc ise m an fro m th e C oal quay to m eet th e -

,

great t h u n d e r t n g artil lery general t hat i s co m e o u t o f t he -

I n d ies an d i s the bi g ge s t d u st o f the m al l
, .

Y o u scou nd rel ! ex cla i m ed the col onel : I l l mak e

y o u s h o w yo urself ; a n d s natch i n g u p h i s s w ord fro m a
c orn e r o f t he roo m , he spran g o u t o f t he w i ndo w U o n t he
p
1 88 T E I GU E o r TH E LEE .

l a w n I n a m o me n t a s h ou t o f l au g h ter , s o h ol l o w s o u n
.
,

l i ke any h u m a n so u n d m ade h i m stop , as w el l as M r B el l

, .
,
w h o w i th a h u ge o ak sti ck w as cl ose at th e col o nel s h eel s

;
ot h ers o f th e party fol l o w ed o n th e l a w n a nd th e re m ai nder ,

r ose a n d w e n t to the w i ndo w s C o m e o n c ol o nel s ai d .
, ,

M r Bel l ; l et u s catch t h i s i m pu den t rasca l

H o h o ! M r Bel l h ere I am h ere s Te i g n e w hy

. .

d o n t y o u catc h h i m H o h o ! C ol o nel P ratt w h at a

,
.
,

, ,

pretty sol d i er y o u are t o d ra w you r s w ord u po n poor

Teig n e th at n ever d i d any body h ar m
, .

Let u s s e e you r face y o u scou nd rel sa i d t h e c ol onel
H o h o h o l l ook a t m e l ook at m e : d o y o u s e e t h e
.
, ,

, ,

w i n d col o n el Pratt ? yo u l l s e e Tei g n e as soo n ; s o

o in
, g

an d n ish you r d i n n er .

I f yo u re u po n t h e eart h I l l nd yo u
o u v ill a i n !

y ,

s a i d th e col on el w h il st th e sa m e u nearth l y shou t o f d er i

,

s i o n see m ed to co m e fro m be h i n d an an g l e o f th e b u i ld i n g .

H e s rou n d t h at c or n er , sai d M r B el l

ru n ru n
.
, .

Th ey fol l o w ed th e so u n d w h i ch w as co n ti n ued at i n ter ,

va l s al o n g th e garde n w all bu t co u l d d iscover n o h u m a n ,

bei n g ; at las t b o th stop p ed to d ra w b r eath a n d i n an i n

/

s ta n t al m ost at th e i r ears sou n ded th e sh o ut

, , .

H o h o h o ! col o n el Pratt d o y o u s e e Te i g n e n o w ?
d o y o u hear h i m ? H o , h o h o ! yo u re a ne col o n el to
, , ,

, ,

fol l o w th e w i n d

.

Not th at w ay M r B e l l n o t t h at w ay ; co m e h er e ,
, .

s a i d the c ol o nel .

Ho , h o ho ! w h at a fool y o u are ; d o y o u t h i n k Te i n a
i s goi n g t o sh o w h i m sel f t o y o u i n th e eld th ere ? Bu t
,

col onel f ol lo w m e i f y o u c an zy o u a sol d ie r ! ho h o

, , ,

ho !
T h e col o n el w a s e n raged h e fol l o w ed t h e vo ice
o ver h edge a n d d i tc h al ter n atel y l au gh ed at a n d tau n te d
,

by th e u nsee n obj ect o f h i s pu rsu i t (M r Bel l w h o w as .

,

h eavy w as so o n th ro w n o u t ) u nt i l at le n gth after be i n g le d

, , ,

a w e ary c hase h e fou n d h i m sel f at t h e to p o f th e cl i ff over

, ,

t h at p art o f th e r i ver Lee w h i c h fro m i ts great depth an d , ,

th e blac kness o f its w ater has recei ve d the na m e o f Hel l ,

h ol e Here o n th e ed ge o f th e cl i ff stood th e col on el o u t

.
, ,

o f breath an d m o ppi n g h is forehead w ith h is ha n d kerc hi e f

, ,

w h il e the voi ce w h ic h see m ed cl ose at h i s feet ex cl a i m ed

, ,

N o w col o n el P ratt n o w i f yo u re a sol d ier h ere s a l e ap

, , ,
 r E I G UE o r THE LE E 1 89
'
.

f o r y o u ; n o w l ook at Tei g ne w hy d o n t y ou l ook at

h i m ? Ho , h o , h o ! C o m e alo n g : you re w ar m I m s u re

W
, ,

c o lo ne l Pratt so co m e i n an d cool you rsel f ; Tei g n e i s g o

,

i n g to have a s w i m ! Th e voi ce see m ed as d escen d i n g
a m ongst the trail i ng i vy a n d b r u sh w ood w h i ch clothes t h is
p ict u resq u e cl i ff nearly fro m t o p to b otto m y et i t w as i m ,

possi ble that a n y h u m a n b ei n g co u ld h ave fo u n d f ooti n g

N o w col onel h ave y o u c o u rage to take th e lea p ?
.

, ,
Mo ,

h o h o ! w hat a pretty sol d ier y ou are G oo d b y e I ll -

s e e yo u a ai n i n te n m i n utes above at th e h o u se loo k at

.
,

g

,

y o u r w atch colo nel : th ere s a d i ve for y o u I a nd a heavy
,

pl u nge i nto th e w ater w as heard Th e col onel s t ood s t i l l .

,

b u t n o so u nd f ollo w ed a n d h e w al ked sl o w l y back to t he

,

h o u se n ot q u i te hal f a m il e fro m th e Cra g

, .

e ll d id yo u see Tei g n e ? sai d h i s b rother w h il st
, ,

h i s ne p he w s scarcely abl e t o s m oth er th ei r la u ghter stood

, ,

by . G ive m e so m e w i ne sa id the col onel I n e ver , .

w as led su c h a d ance i n m y l ife : th e fello w carri ed m e all

ro u n d an d rou n d ti l l h e brou gh t m e to th e edge o f t he

,

c l i ff a nd the n d o w n h e w en t i nto Hel l h ole tell i n g m e

,
-
,

h e d be here i n te n m i nu tes : tis m ore tha n that n o w , b u t

h e s n ot co m e

H o h o h o ! col o n e i sn t h e h ere Teig n e n e ver tol d

.

, ,
l ?
,

a l ie i n h i s l ife : b u t M r Pratt g i ve m e a d ri n k an d m
, y .
,

d i n n er a nd t h e n g oo d n igh t to y o u all fo r I m ti re d ; an d
, ,

that s th e col o ne l s d oi n g A p late o f f ood w as ord ered :

.

i t w as placed by Jo h n w i th fear an d tre m bl i n g o n t he , ,

l a w n u n d er th e w i n do w E very o n e k e p t o n the w a tch .

,
an d th e plate re m ai ned u nd istur b ed f o r so m e ti m e .

A h ! M r Pratt w il l y o u starve poor Tei gn e ?
.
, M ake
e very o n e o a w ay f ro m th e w i n d o w s an d m aster Hen r y
g ,

o u t o f th e tree a n d m aster Richard o ff the

, gar d e n w all -
.

Th e eyes of the co m pan y w ere t u rned to th e tree an d

t h e garde n w all ; the t w o boys att e n ti o n w as occu p i e d i n
-

getti n g d o w n : th e v i siters w ere l ooki n g at the m ; an d H o

h o ho ! good l uck to y o u M r P ratt ! ti s a good d i n ner
,

, , .

and there s the p late la d ies and gentle m en goo d b y e to

,

-
,

you col onel good bye M r Bel l ! good bye to y o u all !
-

bro u gh t t hei r atte nti o n back w he n they s aw th e e m p ty

-
, , .

plate lyi n g o n the grass ; an d Tei g n e s voice w as heard n o

1 90 N E D SH E E H Y S E e

sE .

m ore f o r t h at even i n g M any v is i ts w ere after w ar d s pai d

.

by Te i g n e ; b u t ne ver w as h e seen n o r w as any d i scovery

,

e ver m ade o f h i s perso n o r c h ara cter .

N ED SHE E H Y S E X C U SE

.

X XX II .

N ED SH E E H Y w as servant m an-
to R i c h ar d Gu m b le to n,
E squ i re , f M o u n tb al ly , Gu m b le to n m o r e , 1 n th e n ort h o f
o

th e cou n ty o f C ork ; an d a better s ervan t th a n Ned w as

n o t to b e fou n d i n th at h o nest cou n ty , fro m Cape Cl ear t o
th e K i l w orth M o u nta i n s ; fo r n obody n o , n o t h i s w orst
e n e m y coul d s ay a w ord aga i n st h i m , o n ly th at h e w as
r ath er gi ve n t o d ri n k i n g i dl i n g lyi n g an d l o iteri n g espe
, , , ,

c ially t he l ast ; for sen d Ned o f a v e m i n ute m essage at -

n i n e o cl ock i n th e m orn i n g a nd y o u w ere a l uck y m an i f

,

y o u s aw h i m before d i n ner .I f t h ere happened to be a

pu bl i c h o u se 1 n th e w ay o r eve n a l ittl e o u t o f i t Ned w as
-
, ,

s ure to m ar k i t as d ea d as a p o i n ter ; and k n o w i n g every ,

body a n d every body l ik i n g h i m i t i s n ot t o be w on dered

, ,

at h e had s o m u ch to s ay an d t o hear that t h e ti m e sl ipped

,

a w ay as i f th e su n so m eh o w o r other h ad k n ocked t w o
h o u rs i n to o n e .

B u t w h e n h e ca m e h o me h e never w as sh ort o f a n ex
,

c u se : h e h ad f o r th at m atter ve h u n d red ready U po n th e

, ,

t ip o f h is to n g u e ; s o m uch s o t hat I d o u bt i f e ve n the v e ry

,
 N E D SH E E H r

s EX CU S E. 1 91

re vere nd d octor S w ift fo r m an y years Dean o f S t P atr i ck s ,

.

,

i n D ubl i n cou l d m atch h im i n that particular th ou gh h is

, ,

re vere nce had a p retty w ay o f h i s o w n o f w ri ti n g th i ngs

w h ich brou gh t h i m i n to very dece nt c o m pany I n fact .
,

Ned w o u ld f ret a sai nt bu t then h e w as so good h u m oure d ,

-

a fel l o w an d real ly s o ha ndy abou t a h ouse f o r as h e

sai d h i m sel f h e w as as good as a l ady s m ai d that h is
, , ,

, ,

m aster c ou l d n ot n d i t i n h i s heart to part w ith h im .

I n yo u r gra n d h ouses n ot th at I am say i n g th at R it h ar d

Gu m b le to n esqu ire o f M o u n t b al ly G u m b le t o n m o r e d id
, , ,

n o t kee p a goo d h ouse b u t a pl ai n co u ntry gentle m a n al , ,

th ou gh h e i s second cous i n to th e last h ig h s h e r i o f th e

- o

co u n ty can n ot have al l th e ar m y o f servants that th e l ord

,

l ie u tenan t has i n the castl e o f D u bl i n I s ay i n y o u r gran d ,

h ouses y o u can have a servan t for e very k i n d o f th i n g

, ,

b u t i n M o u n tb ally Gu mb le to n m o r e N e d w as expected t o
, ,

please m aster a n d m i stress ; o r as cou nsell o r C u rra n said , ,

by th e sa m e toke n th e cou nsel l or w as a l ittl e d ark m an

o n e day that h e d i ned there o n h i s w ay to th e C lo n m el ,

assizes Ned w as m i n i ste r for the h o m e a n d forei g n d e

ar t m e n ts
p .

B u t to m ake a l on g story sh ort Ned S heeh y w as a goo d ,

b utler an d a ri gh t good o n e too an d as for a groo m le t

, , ,

h i m al on e w ith a h orse : h e coul d dress i t o r ride i t o r , ,

\ s hoe i t o r ph y si c i t o r d o a n y th i n g w i th i t b u t m ake i t
, ,

Speak he w as a seco nd w his p e r e r l there w as n o t h i s

m atch i n the barony o r th e n ex t o n e n ei th er , A pack o f .

b o u n d s he cou l d m anage w el l ay an d rid e after the m w i th , ,

th e bol dest m an i n the l and I t w as Ned w h o leaped th e .

o ld bo u nds d itch at the tu rn o f the b oree n o f t h e la nd s

o f R e e n as c r e e n a a f ter th e E n gl i sh capta i n p ul led u p o n

,

l ook i n g at i t an d c ried o u t i t w as No go
,
Ned rod e .

th at day Bria n B oro M r Gu mb le to n s f a m ous chestn ut , , .

an d peopl e cal l i t Ned She e h y s Lea p to th i s h ou r

.

S o y o u see i t w as h ard t o d o w itho u t h im : h o w ever

, , ,

m any a scol d i n g h e got ; a n d al tho u gh h i s m aster o f te n

sa i d o f an eve n i n g I ll turn o ff Ned he al w ays f orgo t
,

,

t o do s o i n th e m orn i n g T h ese th reats m e n d ed Ned n ot .

a b i t ; i ndee d h e tv as m e n d i n t h e ot h er l ike bad

, g w a
y s h ,

i n h ot w eat h e r .

1 92 E E D s E E E EY s E x cusE .

O ne c ol d w i n ter s d ay abou t t h r e e o c lo ck in the afte r

,

n oon M r G u m b le t o n s ai d to h i m

W
, .
,

Ned

s ai d he ,

g o t ak e M o d d e r
, ar o o d o w n t o bl ac k
Fal v e y t he h o rse d octo r an d bi d h i m l ook at her k nee s ;
.
-
,

for D oc t or J e n ki nso n w h o ro d e h e r h o m e la s t n i g h t has

, ,

h u rt her s o m e h o w I s u p p ose h e th ou gh t a parso n s h ors e

.

o u g h t to go u po n its k n ees ; b u t i ndee d i t w as I w as tho , ,

'

fool t o gi ve h e r t o h i m at all fo r h e s i ts t w enty s to n e if ,

h e s i t s a po u nd a n d k n o w s n o m ore o f rid i n g p artic u l arly

, ,

aft e r h i s t h i r d b o t tle th an I d o o f pre ach i ng . N o w mi nd .

an d be b ac k i n a n h o u r at farth est f o r I w a n t to h ave t h e ,

plate cleaned u p p ro p erl y f o r d i n ner as S i r A u g u s t u s ,

O T o o le y o u k n o w is t o d i n e here t o day D o n t l o i te r,

-
, , .

for y o u r l i fe .

Is i t I s ir ? says Ned , e l l th at beats an y t h i n g ;
.
,

as i f I d stop o u t a m i n ute !

8 0, m o u n t i n g M o d d e r ar o o ,
o ff he s e t .

Fo u r v e s ix o cl ock ca m e a n d s o d id S i r A u gu stu s
, ,

,

an d l ad y O To o le a n d th e fou r m i sses O T o o le an d M r

, , .

O T o o le a n d M r E d w ard O T o o le

, . an d M r Ja m e s
, .

O T o o le w h ich w e re all the yo u n g O T o o l e s tha t w ere at

,

h o m e b u t n o Ned S h eehy appeared to clea n t h e pla te o r to

, ,

l ay the ta ble cl o t h o r ev e n t o p u t d i n ner o n It i s need

-
, .

l e ss t o say ho w M r a n d M r s D i c k Gu m b le to n frette d an d
. .

fu m e d ; bu t i t w as all to n o u s e Th ey d id thei r best .

,

h o w e ve r o n ly i t w as a d isgrace t o s e e l o n g J e m th e sta ble

,

boy a n d B il l t he gos s oo n th at u sed to go o f erran d s w ai t

, ,

i n g w i th o u t a ny b ody to d i rect the m w h e n there w as a

, ,

r e al baro n et an d h i s lad y at t able ; f o r S i r A u g u stu s w as

n o n e o f y o u r k n i hts B u t a good bottle o f cl aret m ake s

g .

u p f o r m u ch a nd i t w as n o t o n e o n ly th ey had t h at n i g h t
, .

H o w e ver i t i s n o t t o be co n cealed that M r D i ck G u m bl e

,
.

t o n w en t t o b e d ve ry c ross an d h e a w oke s t i l l crosse r , .

H e heard that Ned had n o t m ade h is appeara nce fo r the

w h ol e n i ght ; s o b e d ressed h i m self i n a great fret an d , ,

tak i n g h is h orse w h i p i n h i s ha nd he sai d , ,

Th ere i s n
o farther u s e i n tolerat i n g t h is scou nd rel ;
I l l go l ook fo r h im an d i f I n d h im, I ll c u t t he so u l

,

o u t o f h i s vaga bo nd bod ! s o I w i ll
y .

D o n t sa
y s

o D i ck , dear sa,i d M r s Gu m b le t o n
(
,
f or .

s he w as al w ay s a m i l d w o man , b e i n d a u h te r o f h ti ng
g g g
 N E D SH E E E Y S E X

CUS E . 1 93

To m Crofts w h o s hot a co upl e o f gentle m en f r i ends o f

, ,

h is i n the cool o f th e even i n g a fter the M al l o w r aces o n e

, , ,
a fter th e other ) do n t s w ear
,

sai d sh e ; bu t
,

d o m y d ear o b l i g e m e by c u tti ng the esh o h is b o n es
, , ,

for h e r i chly d eserves i t I w as q u i te asha m ed o f Lady .

O T o o le y ester d a y I w as p o n h o no u r

, , , .

O u t sal l ie d M r G u m b le to n ; an d he h ad n ot far to w al k
.
,
for n ot m ore than t w o h u nd re d y ar d s f ro m th e h ou se h e
, ,
fo u n d N e d l y i n g f ast asl ee p u n d er a d i tch (a h e d ge ) an d ,

M o d d e r ar o o sta n d i n g b y h i m p oor beast shak i n g e very , ,

l i m b Th e l o u d sn ori n g o f N e d w h o w as l y i n g w ith h i s
.
,

h ea d U p on a sto ne as eas y an d as co m f ortabl e as if i t h ad

been a b e d o f d o w n o r a h o p bag d re w hi m to th e s p ot -
, ,

an d M r G u m b le t o n at on ce p erce ive d f ro m th e d isarray

.
,

o f Ned s f ace a n d p erso n that h e h ad bee n eng aged i n

,

so m e p eri l o u s ad ven t u re d u ri n g th e n i gh t Ned a p p eared .

n o t to h ave descen de d i n the m ost re g u lar m a n ner ; f o r o n e

o f h i s s h oes r m a i n e d sti c k i n g i n th e s t i rr u p and h i s hat

e , ,
h avi ng rol led d o w n a l ittl e sl o p e w as i m bedde d i n g ree n ,

m ud . M r Gu m b le to n h o w ever d id n ot g i ve h i m sel f
.
, ,

m u ch t ro u b le to m ak e a c u rio u s s u rvey b u t w i th a v i g orous ,

ap p l icatio n o f h is th o ng soo n b an ished sleep fro m the eyes

,

o f N e d S heeh y .

N e d ! th u ndered h i s m aster i n great i n d i gnation ,

an d o n t h is occasi on i t w as n ot a w or d a nd b l o w f o r w i th ,

d m f
that o n e w or c a e hal a ozen : Get u p you scou n drel ,
d
,

sai d h e .

Ned roared l usti l y a n d n o w o n d e r f o r h is m aster s h a n d

, ,

w as n ot o n e o f th e l i g htest ; a n d h e cried o u t bet w ee n

O s ir ld on t b e an g r y si r !
,

sl ee p i n g an d w ak i n g ,

,

d o n t b e an gry and I l l roast yo u easier easy as a

'

,

l amb !
Roast m e easier y ou v agabon d said M r Gu m b le to n ;
, .

w h at d o y ou m e an
P I l l roast y o u m y l ad

Wh ere ,
.

w ere
y o u al l n i gh t P M o d d e r ar o o w i l l n ever get ove r i t .

Pack o u t o f m y servi ce y o u w orthless v i llai n th is m o , ,

m ent ; an d i n d eed y o u m ay be th ank f ul that I d on t get

, ,

yo u tran s p orte d .

Than k God m aster d ear
, sai d Ned w h o w as n o w , ,

perfectly a w akened i t s yourself any h o w T here n ever

, .

w as a gen tle m a n i n th e w h ole cou n try ever d i d s o good a

17
I 94 N E D SH E E H Y s E X

CUS E .

t u r n to a p o o r m an as you r h o n ou r has b e en a fter do i n g to

m e : th e L ord re w ard y o u fo r th at sa m e O h ! b u t s tri k e .

m e aga i n a n d l et m e feel th a t i t i s yo ursel f, m aster d ear ;

,

m ay w h i sky be m y p oi so n
It w il l be y o u r poi son
, y o u go od for n ot h i n g sco u n - -

d rel
,
sa i d M r G u m b le to n
. .

Wel l th en may w h i skey b e m y po i son s ai d N e d
, , , ,
if
t w as n ot I w as i n th e blackest o f m is fortu nes an d ,

t h ey w ere befo re m e w hic h e y e r w ay I turn ed t w as n o

,

m atter . Y ou r h o n ou r se n t m e l ast n i gh t s u re e n o u gh , ,

w i th M o d d e r ar o o t o m i ster F al v e y s l d o n t d e n y it

w h
y sh ou l d I ? f o r reaso n e n ou gh I h ave t o re m e m be r

W h at h appened .

N e d m y m an
,

sai d M r Gu m b le to n I l l l i ste n t o
,
.
,

n o n e o f y ou r ex cuses : j u st ta k e th e m are i nto th e stabl e

a n d y ou rself o ff for I v o w ,

Beggin g y ou r h o n o u r s
p ard o n sa i d Ned
earn estly , , ,

for i n terr u pti n g yo u r h o n o u r ; b u t m aster m aster ! m ak e , ,

n o v o w s t he a re b a d th i n gs : I n ever m ade b u t o n e i n
y
al l m y l ife w h i c h w as to d ri n k n o t h i n g at al l f o r a year
, ,
'

an d a d ay an d t i s m ysel f r e p i n t e d o f i t f o r th e cl ea n

,

t w e l ve m on th after B u t i f yo u r h o n o u r w o u l d o nly l i ste n

.

t o reaso n : I l l j u st tak e i n th e poor baste a n d i f you r h o

,

n o u r d o n t par d o n m e th i s o n e ti m e m a I n ever

e e an o
y s

th er d ay s l u ck o r gr ac e

.

I k n o w y o u N ed sai d M r G u m b le to n

, ,
Wh atever . .

you r l u ck h as bee n y o u n ever h ad an y grace to l ose : bu t

,

I d o n t i nten d d isc u ssi n g th e m atter w i th y o u Take i n

.

the m are s ir , .

Ned o beyed a n d h i s m aster s aw h im to th e stabl es

, .

He r e h e rei terated h is co m m an ds to q u i t an d Ned S he e hy s ,

excu se f o r h i m sel f bega n Th at i t w as h eard u n i n terr u p t.

e dl i s m ore th an I c an a fr m ; b u t as i n terr u ti o n s l ike

y p ,

expl an ati on s sp o i l a story , w e m ust let Ned tel l i t h i s o w n

,

N o on der your h on our s ai d h e sh ou l d be a b i t
w , ,

an g r y gr an d co m pan y co m i n g to th e h o u s e an d all an d ,

n o reg u l ar serv i n g m an to w a i t on l y l on g J e m ; s o I d o n t

-
,

bl a m e yo u r h o n o u r th e l east for be i n g f retted l i ke ; bu t

o u w i l l s e e th at n o poor m an i s m ore

w he n al l s h eard
'

y ,

to b e p i tied f o r l ast n i g h t than m ysel f F i n M ac C o u l .

 N E D SE E E H Y S

EX C US E .

n ever w ent th rou gh m ore i n h i s bor n d ays th a n I d i d ,

thou g h h e w as a great j o in t (giant ) a n d I o n ly a m an , .

I had n ot rode h al f a m i le f ro m th e h o u se w h e n i
t ,

ca m e o n as y o u r h o no u r m u st h ave p ercei ved clearl y

, ,

m igh ty d ar k al l o f a s u d d e n f o r al l th e w orl d as i f th e ,

s u n h ad tu m bled d o w n p l u m ou t o f th e ne clear bl ue
p
sk y . I t w as n ot so late b e i n g o nl y f ou r o cl ock at th e
,

m ost b u t i t w as as bl ack as y o u r h o n o u r s h at
, Wel l I
.
,

d id n t care m u ch seei n g I k n e w th e road as w el l as I k ne w

,

th e w ay to m y m o u th w h e th er I s aw i t o r n ot an d I p u t
, ,

the m are i n to a s m art canter ; b u t j ust as I t u rn ed d o w n

by th e cor ner of Tere n ce Leahy s e ld s u re yo u r h o no u r

o u gh t to k n o w the place w el l j ust at th e ver y S p ot t h e

f o x w as k il led w hen yo u r h on ou r ca m e i n rs t o u t o f a
w h ol e el d o f a h u nd red a nd fty ge ntle m e n an d m a be
y ,

m ore al l o f the m brave r iders
, .

( M r G u m b l e t o n s m i le d )
. .

J ust the n th ere I heard th e l o w cr y of th e good eo

, , p
pl e w a fti ng u p o n th e w i nd H o w early y o u are at y o u r
.

w ork m y l itt le f el l o w s !
,
sa y s I to m ysel f ; and d ark as i t

,

w as h av i n g n o w ish fo r su ch c o m p any I th o u gh t i t best

, ,

to get o u t o f thei r w ay ; so I t u rne d th e h orse a l ittle U p

to the le f t th i nki n g to get d o w n b y th e boree n th at i s
, ,

that w ay a n d s o ro u n d to F al v e y s ; b u t th ere I h eard th e

,

v o i ce plai ner a n d plai ner cl ose beh i nd , an d I coul d h ear

t h ese w ords
l

N e d! N e d!
B y m y c ap s o r e d !
Y o u r e as g o o d , N e d ,

A s a m an t h at i s d e ad

.

A cl ea n p ai r o f Sp urs i s all th at s f o r i t n o w said I ; s o

,

o ff I set as h ard as I co u l d l i ck an d i n m y h u rry k ne w

, ,

n o m ore w here I w as go i n g th a n I d o th e roa d to the h il l

o f T arah A w ay I gall o p e d o n f o r so m e ti m e u ntil I

.
,

ca m e to th e n oise o f a strea m roari n g a w ay by i tsel f i n ,

the d ark ne s s Wh at r i ver i s th is ? sai d I to m ysel f

.

for there w as n obo d y else to ask th o u ght sa y s I ,

,

I k n e w every i n ch o f gro u nd an d o f w ater too w ith i n , ,

t w en ty m i les an d never th e ri ver surel y i s th ere i n th i s

,

d irecti on S o I stopped to l oo k about ; bu t I m i gh t h av e

.

1 96 N E D SH E E H Y s

EX CU S E .

s pared m ysel f t h at tro u bl e for I coul d n ot s e e as m u c h as ,

m y h an d I d i d n t k n o w w h at to d o ; b u t I tho u ght i n

.

m y sel f i t s a q u eer ri ver su rel y i f so m ebo d y d oes n o t

,

, ,

l i ve n ear i t ; an d I s h o u ted o u t as l o u d as I co u ld M u rder !

m u rd er !
,

r e ! ro bbery ! an y th i n g that w ou l d be n a
tu ral i n su c h a place b u t n o t a so u n d d id I h ear ex cept
m y o w n v o i ce ech oed back t o m e l ike a h u n d red packs ,

o f b o u n d s i n fu l l cry above a n d bel o w ri gh t a nd left Th i s , .

d i d n t d o at al l ; so I d is m o u nte d a n d g u i d ed m yself al o n g

,

th e strea m d i rected b y th e n o ise o f th e w ater as cau ti ou s

, ,

as i f I w as tread i n g u p o n eg gs h ol d i n g poor M o dd e r ar o o ,

by th e bri d le w h o sh ook th e poor br u te , al l o ver i n a

, ,

tre m bl e l ike m y o ld gra nd m other rest h er s o u l a ny ho w !

, ,

i n the ag u e Well s i r th e h eart w as si n ki n g i n m e an d

.
, , ,

I w as giv i n g m y sel f u p w he n as good l uc k w o u l d h ave , ,

i t I s aw a l i g h t
, M ay be sai d I m y go od fel lo w yo u
.
,

, ,

are o n ly a j ac k y l antern an d w a n t to b o g m e a n d M o dd e
.
,

r ar o o . B u t I l ooked at the l i gh t har d a n d I th o u gh t i t

,
-

w as too s tu d
y ( stea d y ) f o r a j ack y l anter n I l l try y o u .

,

sa y s I s o h ere goes ; a n d w al k i n g as q u i ck as a th ie f I , ,

ca m e to w ards it bei n g ver y n ear p l u m pi n g i n to th e r i ver

,

o nce o r t w i c e a n d bei n g st u ck Up to my m iddl e as you r

, ,

h o n ou r m ay p erce i ve cleanly the m arks o f t w o o r three ,

ti m es i n th e s lo b A t l ast I m ade th e l i gh t o u t a n d i t
"
,

co m i n g fro m a b i t o f a h o u se by th e road s ide ; s o I w e n t -

t o th e d oor a n d gave t h ree k i cks at i t, as stro n g as I

co uld .

O pe n t h e d oor for Ned S heehy sa i d a v o i ce i ns i de ,

.

N o w besides th at I coul d n o t f o r th e l i fe o f m e m ake o u t

, , ,
:

h o w an y o n e i n si de sh o u l d k n o w m e before I spoke a w ord

at al l I d i d n ot l ike th e so u n d o f th at vo i ce t w as so h oarse
, ,

an d s o h oll o w j u st l i ke a dead m an s l s o I sai d n o th i n g

,

i m m ed iatel y Th e sa m e v o i ce spoke agai n an d sai d

.
, ,

Wh y d o n t y o u o p e n th e d oor to Ned S heehy ?

Ho w

pat m y n a m e i s to y o u sai d I w ith o u t S p ea k i n g o u t o n
, , ,

t ip o f you r to n g u e l i ke b u tter ; a n d I w as bet w ee n t w o

,

m i n d s a bo u t sta y i n g o r go i n g w hen W h at sh o u l d the d oor ,

d o b ut Open an d o u t ca m e a m an h old i n g a ca n d le i n h i s
,

h and an d h e had u po n hi m a face as w h ite as a sheet

, .

*O r
3 s lai b ; m ir e on th e s e a s tran d o r r ive r s
b ank .
O B R
IEN .
passi n g by ?

W
,

,

,
N E D SH E E E v s E x c U s E

th en Ned S h eeh y says h e h o w gran d you re

hy ,

gro w n that y o u w o n t co m e i n a n d s e e a fri end as yo u re

Pray s ir says I l ook i n g at h imth o u gh th at face o f

,
,

,

h i s w as e no u gh to d u m b fo u n d er an y h onest m an l ike m y
sel f Pray sir says I m ay I m ake s o bold as to as k i f
,

y ou are n o t J ack M yers th at w as d ro w n e d seve n years ago

,
,

,
.

,
1 97

n ext M arti n m as i n t h e f ord o f A h n a f o u r is h ? -

-
,

S up p ose I w as says h e : h as n o t a m an a r i gh t to
r
,

be d ro w ned i n the f or d f ac m g h i s o w n ca b i n d oor any -

d ay o f th e w eek that h e l i k es f ro m S u n day m orn i n g to ,

S at u r d a y n i g ht ?

I m n ot deny i n g th at sa m e M r M yers si r says I

,
.
, ,

,

i f ti s y o u rsel f i s to the fore s p ea k i n g to m e

.

says h e n o m ore w or d s abo u t th at m atter

,

n o w : s u re y o u a n d I Ned w ere frie n d s o f o ld ; co m e i n

, , ,

a nd tak e a gl ass ; an d here s a goo d re be f ore y o u an d ,

n obody sh al l h u rt o r har m y o u , a n d I t o the f ore an d m

y ,

s el f a b le to d o i t .

N o w you r h o nou r th ou g h t w as m u ch to d r i nk w ith
, ,

a m an th at w as d ro w n ed se ve n y ears be f ore i n th e ford o f ,

A h n a f o u r is h f aci n g h i s o w n d oor y e t the glass w as h ar d

- -
, ,

to be w ith stoo d to say n oth i ng o f th e re th at w as blazi n g

w i th i n f o r the n i gh t w as m o rtal col d S o ty i n g M o d d e .

r ar o o to th e has p o f th e d oor if I d o n t l o ve th e cr e at u re

a s I l ove m y o w n l i f e I w en t i n w i th J ack M yers

C i vi l e no u gh he w as I l l n ever sa y other w ise to m y

.

d y i n g ho u r f o r h e han ded m e a stool b y the re an d b i d ,

me s i t d o w n an d m ake m y sel f co m f ortable B u t h i s f ace .

,
as I sai d before w as as w h ite as the s n o w o n the h i l ls a n d
, ,

h is t w o eyes f el l d e ad o n m e l i k e th e eyes o f a cod w ith ,

o u t an y l i f e i n the m J u st as I w as go i n g t o p u t th e gl ass
to my l i p s a voi ce t w as t h e sa m e that I h e ar d b i d d i ng
.

th e d oor he o p ene d s p ok e o u t o f a c u p boar d th at w as c o n

v e n ie n t to th e le f t h a n d side o f the ch i m n ey an d sa i d
-

, ,

Have y o u an y n e w s f o r m e Ned S heeh y ? ,

T he n ever a w or d si r sa y s I m a k i n g a ns w er b e fore
, ,

,

I taste d th e w h i sk y al l o u t o f c i v i l ity ; an d to S p eak t h e

, ,

t ruth n ever th e least coul d I re m e m ber at that m o me nt o f

,

w hat h ad hap p ened to m e o r h o w I o t th e re f I w as

g ; o,r

q u ite bot h ere d w ith the frigh t .

17
1 98 N E D SH E E H Y S

E XC U SE .

Have y o u n o n e w s says th e v o i ce , Ned to t el l ,

,

m e fro m M o u n t b al ly G u m b l e t o n m o r e ; o r fro m th e M il l ;
,

o r abou t M ol l T r an t u m th at w as m arri ed l ast w eek t o

B rya n O ge and yo u at th e w edd i n g ?

,

No s ir says I n ever th e w ord
, , , .

Wha t bro ugh t y ou i n h e r e Ned the n ? says th e , ,

v o i ce I c ou l d s ay n oth i n g ; for w h atever other pe opl e

'

.
,

m i gh t d o I n ever co u l d f ra m e a n excu se ; a n d l w as l oat h

,

t o s ay i t w as o n acco u n t o f the glass a n d th e re for th at ,

w o u l d be t o s p eak th e tr u th

T u r n th e sco u n d rel o u t sa y s th e vo i ce ; a nd at th e ,

s ou n d o f i t w h o w o ul d I see bu t J ack M yers m ak i n g ove r

,

t o m e w ith a l u m p o f a sti c k i n h i s h an d an d i t clen ch e d ,

o n th e sti c k s o w i cked F or certai n I d id n ot s t to f eel

.
,

th e w e i gh t o f th e blo w ; s o d ro p p i n g th e gl ass a n d i t f u l l , ,

o f th e st u ff to o I bol ted o u t o f th e d oor a n d neve r rested

, ,

fro m r u n n i n g a w ay for as go od I bel i eve as t w e nt y m i les,

, , ,

t i l l I fo u nd m ysel f i n a bi g w ood .

T h e Lord preserve m e ! w h at w i l l beco m e o f m e

no w !

say s I O h Ned S heehy ! sa y s I spea k i n g to m y
.
,

,

sel f m y m an yo u re i n a pretty h ob bl e ; an d to l eave

,

,

poor M o dd e r ar o o after y o u ! B ut th e w ord s w ere n o t w el l

o u t o f m y m o u th w h e n I h eard th e d i s m al l es t u l lago an e
,

i n th e w orld e n ou gh to break an y o n e s heart that w as n o t

,

broke before w ith t h e grief e n tirely ; a n d i t w as n o t l o n g

,

t i l l I co u l d plai n l y see fou r m e n c o m i n g to w ard s m e , w i t h

a great black co fn o n th ei r sh ou l ders I d better get Up .

i n a tree says I ,

for th ey s ay ti s n ot l u cky to m eet a
,

corpse : I m i n th e w ay o f m isfortu n e to n i ght i f ever

-
,

m an w as .

I co u l d n ot h el p w o nder i n g h o w a b e rr in (fu neral )

sh o u ld co m e there i n th e l o n e w ood at th at ti m e o f n i gh t ,

see i n g i t cou l d n o t be far fro m th e dead h o u r B u t i t w as .

l ittle good f o r m e th i n ki n g fo r they soo n ca m e u n der the ,

very tree I w as roosti n g i n a n d d o w n the y p u b t h e co fn , ,

a n d bega n to m ak e a n e re u n der m e I l l be s m o thered .

al i ve n o w th i n ks I a n d th at w i l l be th e e n d o f m e ; b u t
, ,

I w as a f rai d to sti r fo r th e l ife o r to speak o u t to bi d th e m ,

j u st m ake th ei r re u nder so m e oth er tree i f i t w ou l d be ,

al l th e sa m e t h i n g to the m Presentl y th ey ope ned t h e .

 N E D SH E E E Y S

EX CU S E . 1 99

c o i n , an d o u t th ey d ragged as n e l ook i n g a man as yo u d -

m eet w i th i n a d ay s w al k .

Where s th e Sp i t ? says o n e

.

Here ti s sa y s anoth er hand i n g i t over ; an d f o r

,

,

certai n they S p i tted h im a nd began to tur n h i m before th e ,

re .

I f th ey are n o t goi n g to eat h im th i nks I l i ke th e , ,

H ann i b als fath er Q u i nla n tol d u s abou t i n h i s s ar min t l ast

S u n da y .

Wh o l l t u rn th e Sp i t w h ile w e go for th e oth er i n gre

d ients ? says o n e o f th e m th at bro u gh t the co fn an d a bi g

,

U gl y l ook i n g b lack g u ar d he w as
-
.

Wh o d t u rn the s p i t b u t Ned S heeh y ? says an o ther

.

B u rn y o u ! th i n ks I h o w sho u l d y o u k n o w th at I w as ,

h ere so han d y to y o u Up i n th e tree ?

C o m e d o w n N e d S heeh y a n d t u rn the s p it says h e
, , ,

.

I m n ot here at al l S ir says 1 p u tti n g m y han d over

, ,

,

m y face that h e m igh t n ot s e e m e .

That w o n t d o f o r

y ou m y m an say s h e ; y o u d

, ,

bette r co m e do w n o r m ay be I d m ake y o u ,

.

I m co m i n g S ir sa y s I ; f or ti s al w a y s ri gh t to m ak e

, ,
"

a vi rtu e o f necessi ty S o d o w n I ca m e an d there they

.
,

l eft m e t u rn i n g the s p i t i n t h e m i d d l e o f the w id e w oo d .

D o n t scorch m e Ned S heeh y y o u vagabo n d say s

, , ,

t h e m an o n the Sp i t .

A n d m y lor d S ir a n d ar n t y o u de ad s ir say s I ,

, , , ,

an d y o u r h o n o r take n o u t o f th e co f n an d all
u ?

I
says h e .

B u t su rely y o u ar e s ir says I for tis t o n o u s e n o w

, ,

,

f o r m e deny i ng that I s aw yo ur h on ou r , an d I U p i n th e
tree .

I

says he agai n Speak i n g qu ite sh ort a n d snap ,

p i sh .

S o I sai d n o m ore u ntil presently h e cal led o u t to m e

,

to t u rn h i m easy o r t hat m ay b e t w o u l d be the w orse tu r n

,

for m y sel f .

VV ill that d o si r ? says I tu rn i n g h i m as easy

as I

, ,
co ul d .

That s too easy says h e : so I tu rned h i m fast e r

,

.

That s too fast

sa y s h e ; s o n d i n g th at tu rn h im
,

,

w h ic h w ay 1 w ould I coul d n ot please h i m , I got i nto a

,
 200
'

N E D SH E EHY
S E X C SE U .

b it o f fret at l ast a n d des i red h i m t o tu r n h i m sel f, fo r a

a ,

g ru m bl i n g sp al pee n as h e w as i f h e l i ke d i t better , .

A w ay I ran an d a w ay h e ca m e h op i n g S i t an d al l
p, p , ,

after m e a n d h e bu t h al f roas ted M u rder ! says I -

I m d on e fo r at l on g l astn o w o r n ever !
.
, ,

s h outi n g o u t;

W h e n all o f a su dden a n d t w as real ly w o nd erfu l no t ,

,

k n o w i n g w h ere I w as ri gh tly I fou n d m ysel f at th e d oor ,

o f th e very l ittl e cab i n by th e road s i de that I h ad bolted -

o u t o f f ro m Jack M yers ; and th ere w as M o d d e r ar o o sta n d

i n g h ard b y .

O p e n th e d oor for Ne d S h eehy says th e vo i ce for

t w as Sh u t agai nst m e
, ,

an d th e d oor e w o p e n i n an i n sta nt
, .

I n I ra n w i t h o u t sto p o r stay th i n ki n g i t b etter to be beat ,

by Jack M yers h e bei n g a n o l d f rie n d o f m i ne th an to he

, ,

Sp itted l i ke a M i ch ael m as goose b y a m an th at I k ne w

n oth i n g about e i th er o f h i m o r h is fa m ily o n e o r the other
, , .

H ave y o u an y n e w s f o r m e ? sa y s th e v oi ce putt i n g
,

j u st th e sa m e q u estio n to m e th at i t d id b e fore .

Yes S ir ,sa y s I an d p l en ty
,

S o I m en t i o ned al l
,

.

t h at ha d ha p pe ned to m e i n the b ig w ood a n d h o w I go t ,

U p i n the tree an d h o w I w as m a d e co m e do w n agai n a n d

, ,

p u t to tu rn i n g the spit roasti n g th e ge ntle m an a n d ho w I , ,

co u l d n ot please h i m tu r n h i m f ast o r easy al th o u gh I tr ied, ,

m y best a n d h o w h e r an a f ter m e at l ast S p i t an d al l

, ,
.

If y ou h ad tol d m e th is before yo u w o ul d n o

t h av e ,

bee n tu rn ed o u t i n th e col d said th e V oi ce ,

.

A n d h o w co ul d I tel l i t to you , S i r say s I , before i t

,

h appen ed ?

No m atter says b e yo u m ay slee p n o w ti l l m or n i n g

, ,

o n that b u n d le o f h ay i n the corner there an d o n l y I w as ,

you r frien d yo u d h ave b e e n k ill entirely

,

S o do w n I .

l ay bu t I w as drea m i n g drea m i n g al l th e rest o f the n i ght ;

, ,

an d w he n y o u m aster d ear w o k e m e w ith that blessed

, ,

bl o w I th ou gh t t w as th e m an o n th e Sp i t h ad h ol d o f m e
, ,

an d cou l d h ard ly b el ieve m y eyes w h e n I fou nd m yself i n ,

yo u r h on o u r s p rese n ce an d p oor M o d d e r ar o o sa fe a nd

,

so u n d by m y S ide ; b u t h o w I ca m e th ere i s m ore th a n I

ca i f t as n ot J ack M yers alth o u gh h e d id m ake the

n sa
y , w ,

o ff er to strike m e o r so m e o ne a m on g th e good people t h at

,

befri e nded m e .

It

i s al l a d ru n ke n , d rea m y o u scou n d rel sai d M r , , .

G u m b le to n ; h ave I n o t h ad fty su c h ex cu ses fro m y o u ?

 W
N E D SH E E H Y S

E X C SEU . 2 01

But n ever o n e your h on ou r that real ly h app e ne d b e

, ,

fore s i d N e
,
a d w ith u n b l u sh i n g fro nt
,
Ho w so m ever .
,

si n ce y ou r h o nou r f an cies tis dri nki n g I w as I d rather

,

n ever d ri nk a gai n to th e w orld s end than l ose s o good a

,

m aster as y o u rsel f an d i f I m forgi ven th is o n ce an d get

,

,

an other trial
e l l sai d M r Gu m b le to n you m ay f o r th i s on ce

, .

, , ,

go i n to M o u n tb ally Gu m b le to n m o r e agai n ; let m e s e e that

y o u kee
p you r p ro m ise as to n ot d ri nki n g o r m i n d th e ,

conseq u en ces ; and above al l let m e h ear n o m ore o f th e

, ,

good p eo p le fo r I d o n t bel ieve a s i n gle w ord abo u t the m

,

,

w h ate ver I m a d o o f bad ones
y .

S o say i n g M r G u m b le t o n t u rn ed o n h is h eel , an d Ned s

, .

cou nten an ce rel axe d i nto i ts us u al expressi o n .

N ow
I w o u l d n ot be a f ter sa y i n g abo u t the good peo

pl e w h at the m aster sai d last excl a i m ed Peggy the m ai d , , ,

w h o w as w ith i n heari n and w ho by th e w a h ad a n e y e

g , y , ,

after Ned : I w o u l d n ot b e a f ter sa y i n g s u c h a th i n g ; the

good p eo p le m ay be w i ll m ake h im f eel the d ie r (d i ff er

, ,

e n ce to h i s c ost
) .

Nor w as Peggy w ron g ; for w hether Ned S heeh y drea m t

o f the F i r D ar r i o r n ot w i th i n a f ortn i gh t after t w o o f
g , ,

M r Gu m b le t o n s co w s th e best m i l k ers i n the parish r an

.

, ,

d ry and before th e w eek w as o u t, M o d d e r ar o o w as l y i n g

,

dead i n the stone quarry .

T HE L U C KY G U E ST .

XXX II I .

TH E k itche n o f so m e cou ntry h o uses i n Irel an d p resents

i n n o w a y s a b ad m odern tran sl atio n o f th e an ci en t feudal
h al l
. T races o f cla nsh i p sti l l l i n ger ro u nd i ts h earth i n

the n u m ero u s d e p e ndan ts o n the m aster s

bo u n ty
.

N u rses f oster bro thers an d other h an gers o n are there as

,
-
,
-
,

m atter o f ri g ht w h ile th e stro l l i n g p i p er fu l l o f m i rth an d

, ,

m u si c th e beni ght e d travel ler eve n the passi n g beg gar are
, , ,

recei ved w ith a hearty w elco m e , an d each contri butes

202 TH E LU C K Y G UE ST .

p la n xty so n g o r superstiti ou s tale to w ards t h e e ve n i n g s

, , ,

a m use m e n t .

A n as se m bl y s u c h as h as bee n descr i bed h ad col l ec ted

, ,

r o u n d th e k itche n re o f B all r ah e n h o u s e at th e foo t f

y o ,

th e G al tee m ou n tai n s w h e n as i s e ver th e case o ne tal e

, , ,

o f w o n d er cal led fort h a n other ; an d w i t h th e a d van ce o f

th e even i n g e ac h succeed i ng story w as rece i v e d w i th d eep

an d d ee p er atte nti o n Th e h i story o f C o u g h n a L o o b a s
.

d an ce w i th th e black fri ar at R e b i l l an d the f ear f u l trad i ,

t io n o f C o u m an ir mo r r ia (th e d ea d m a n s h ol lo w ) w e re

,

l i stened to i n breath less S il en ce A pau se fol l o w ed the l a s t .

r el atio n a n d al l eyes rested o n th e n arrator a n o ld n u rse

, ,

w h o o cc u i e d th e post o f h o n o u r th at n ex t th e r e sid e
p
-
.
,

S he w as seated i n that p ec u l iar posi ti o n w h i c h th e I r i s h

n a m e cu r r ig g u ib a p ositio n ge neral l y ass u m ed by a v e

,

tera n an d d ete r m i n e d stor y tel ler Her h a u n ch es resti n g -

.

U po n th e gro u n d a n d h er feet bu nd led u n der th e body h er

, ;
ar m s fol d ed across a n d S u p p orte d by h er k n ees an d the ,

o utstretched ch i n o f her h ooded h ead p ressi n g o n th e U p p er

ar m ; w h i ch co m pac t arran g e m e n t n early red u ce d th e
w h ol e g u re i n to a p erfect tria n le
g . .

U n m o ved by th e ge neral gaze Br i d get D oyl e m ad e n o ,

c h a n ge o f attit u d e w h i l e sh e gravely asserte d the tr u th o f

,

t he m arvel l o us tal e co n cer n i ng th e Dead M a n s Holl o w ;

h e r stro n gl y m arked co u n ten a n ce at th e ti m e rece i v i n g

w h at pa i n t e rs ter m a n e C h i aro o bs curo e ff ec t fro m th e -

r e l i gh t
-
.

I h ave tol d y o u Sh e said w h at h appened to m
, y ,

o w n peo l e th e B u tlers an d th e D oyles i n th e o ld ti m es ;

p , ,

b u t h ere i s l ittle E l le n C o n n el l f ro m th e co u n ty Cork w h o ,

can S peak to w h at happe ned u n der her o w n father an d m o

t h e r s roo f

.

E llen a you n g an d bl oo m i n g gi rl o f abo u t S i x teen w as

, ,

e m p l o y e d i n the d ai ry at B al l r ah e n S h e w as th e p ict u re
y .

o f h eal th a n d r u sti c bea u t y ; an d at th i s h i n t f ro m n u rse

D o y l e a d ee p bl u sh m antle d over h er co u nten a n ce ; yet

, ,

al th o u gh u nacc u sto m ed to p u bl i c speak i n g Sh e w i th o u t , ,

f arth er h esi tatio n o r e x cu se p rocee d ed as f o l l o w s : ,

I t w as o n e M ay eve a b o u t th i rtee n years ago an d t h at
, ,

i s as every body k n o w s th e ai ri est d ay i n al l th e t w el ve

, ,

m o nth s I t i s th e day abo ve all other d ays sai d E l le n
.
, ,
 THE L U C KY G U ST
E . 2 03

w i th h er large dark eyes cast d o w n o n t h e grou n d an d ,

d ra i n g a ee p si gh
w d w he n th e y o u n g bo y s a n d the
,

y o u n g gi rl s go l ook i n g a f ter th e D r u the en to l earn fro m i t ,

r i gh tl y th e n a m e o f th e ir s w eeth earts .

M y f ather an d m y m other a n d m y t w o b roth ers w i th

, , ,

t w o o r three o f th e n ei g h bou rs w ere s itti n g ro u nd th e t u rf ,

r e a n d w ere tal ki n g o f o n e th i n g o r a n other

, M y mo .

ther w as hu s h o in g m y l ittl e S i ster stri v i n g to q u iete n h er, ,

for s he w as c u tti n g h er teeth at th e ti m e a n d w as m i ghty ,

u n easy th ro u g h th e m ean s o f the m The d ay w h ich w as .

,

th rea ten i n g all al on g n o w that i t w as co m i n g o n to d usk

, ,

began to rai n an d the rai n i n creased a nd fel l f ast an d faster

, ,
as if i t w as o u ri n g th ro u gh a s ieve ou t o f th e w i de h ea
p '

ven s ; an d w he n th e rai n s te p p e d for a bi t th ere w as a w i n d

w h i ch ke t Up s u ch a w h istl i n g an d racket t hat you w o ul d
p ,

h ave th o u gh t th e S k y an d th e earth w ere co m i n g together .

It ble w an d i t bl e w as if i t h ad a m i n d to b l o w the roo f

,

o t h e ca b i n an d that w o u l d n ot h ave b ee n ver y h ar d f o r

,

i t t o d o as th e th atch w as q u i te l oose i n t w o o r th ree

,

pl aces T h e n th e rai n be gan a gai n an d y ou cou l d hear i t

.
,

S p i tti n g an d h iss i n g i n th e re , as i t ca m e d o w n th ro u gh
th e b ig chimb le y .

G od b less U S sa y s m y m oth er b u t ti s a d read f u l

,

,

n i gh t to be at sea s ay 5 sh e an d Go d be praised th a t w e
,

,

h ave a roo f b ad as i t i s to Shelter U S

, , .

I d o n t to b s u re recol l ect al l th i s m i stress Doyl e b u t

, e , , ,

o n l y as m y brothers tol d i t to m e an d oth er p eo p le an d , ,

o f te n h ave I h eard i t ; fo r I w as so l ittle th e n th at th e y s ay ,

I co u l d j u st go u n d er th e ta b le w i th o u t ti p p i n g m y h ead .

A n y w ay i t w as i n th e very hei gh t o f the p el ti n g a n d

,

w h istl i n g that w e h e ar d so m eth i n g Sp eak o u tsi d e th e door .

M y f ather an d al l o f u s l istene d b u t th ere w as n o m ore ,

n o ise at that ti m e We w ai te d a l i ttl e l o nger an d the n

.
,

w e p lai nly hear d a so u nd l i ke a n o l d m a n s voi ce aski n g

,

to be le t i n b u t m i gh ty f eebl e an d w ea k T i m b o u n ced
,
.

w i th o u t a w ord to as k U S W hether w e d l ike to l e t th e

U
p, ,

o ld m an o r w ,
h oever h e w as i n h avi n g al w ays a h eart as ,

so f t as a m ealy p otato be f ore the voi ce o f sorro w Wh e n .

T i m p u lle d b ac k t h e bol t that d id th e d oo r i n m arched a ,

l ittle bit o f a Shri vel led w eath er beate n creatu re, abou t ,
-

t w o feet an d a hal f h i gh .

We w ere all w atch i n g to se e w h o d c o me i n , f o r t h e r e

204 T HE LUC KY G UE ST .

w as a w al l bet w e e n U S and th e d oor ; b u t w h en t h e s ou nd

o f the u nd o i n o f th e bol t stop p e d w e heard T im i ve a
g g ,

sort o f a screech an d i nstantl y h e bol ted i n to U S H e h ad

, .

h ard ly t i m e to say a w o rd o r w e either w he n th e l i ttl e

W
, ,

ge ntl e m an s h u l e d i n a f ter h im w ith ou t a God save all ,

h ere o r by you r l eave o r a n y o t her sort o f th i n g th at a n y

, ,

d ecen t body m i gh t s ay We al l o f o n e accord scra m ble d

.
, ,

o ver to th e farthest en d o f the roo m w h ere w e w ere o ld , ,

a n d you n g every o n e try i n g w h o d get n earest th e w al l

,

,

a n d farthest f ro m h i m A ll th e eyes o f o u r body w er e

.

stu ck U po n h i m b u t h e d id n t m i n d u s n o m ore tha n th a t

,

fry i n g pan there d oes n o w

-

H e w al ked over t o the re ,
.

a n d s quat ti n g h i m sel f d o w n l i ke a frog too k th e pi pe th at ,

m y father d ro pp ed fro m h i s m o u th i n th e h u rr y p u t i t i nto ,

h i s o w n and the n bega n to s m oke s o hearty that h e soo n

, ,

l l ed th e roo m Cf i t .

e h ad pl en ty o f ti m e t o o b serve h i m an d m b r o
y ,

t h e r s s ay that h e w ore a S u gar l oa f h at that w as as red as -

b lood : he h ad a fac e as y ell o w as a k ite s cl a w an d as l on g

,

as to d ay an d t o m orro w p u t together w i th a m o n th al l
- -
,

scre w ed and p u ckere d U p l i ke a w ash er w o m a n s h and l it

,

tl e bl u e eyes a nd rather a h igh i sh n ose ; h i s hai r w as q u i te

,

gray a n d l en gth y ap p eari n g u n der h is h at an d o w i n g

, ,

o ver th e cape o f a l o n g scarlet coat w h ic h al m o st trai l e d ,

th e gro u n d beh i n d hi m a nd th e e nds o f w h i c h h e took u p

,

an d pl an ked o n h i s knees to d ry as h e s at f aci n g th e re , .

H e had s m art c ord u roy breech es an d w ool le n stocki ngs ,

d ra w n Up o ver th e k nees s o as to h i de th e k n e e b u c k le s if
, ,

h e h ad th e prid e to h ave th e m ; b u t at a n y rate i f h e , ,

h ad n t the m i n h is k n ees h e h ad b u ckles i n h is shoes o u t

,

be f ore h is Spi nd le l egs Whe n w e ca m e to o urse lv e s a l it

.

tl e w e th ought t o escape fro m th e roo m b ut n o o n e w o u l d ,

go rst n or n o o n e w ou l d s tay last ; so w e h u d d le d o u r

,

sel ves to gether a n d m ade a d art o u t o f th e roo m M y l i t .

tl e gen tle m a n n ever m i n d ed a ny th i n g o f the scra m bl i n g ,

n or h ard ly sti rred h i m sel f S i tti n g q u ite at h is ease before,

th e re Th e nei gh bours th e very i n stan t m i n u te they

.
,

got to th e d oor al tho u gh i t stil l co nti n ued pelti n g ra i n cu t

, ,

g u tter as i f O l i ve r C ro m w el l h i m sel f w as at thei r h ee l s ;

a n d n o bl a m e to th e m f o r th at an y h o w I t w as m y fa , .

ther a n d m y m oth er a n d m y brothers a n d m ysel f a l i ttle

, , , ,

o f m y th u m b m i d ge as I w as then th at w e r e l eft t o
t - - -
,
 TH E L UCK Y G UE S T . 2 05

se e w h at w oul d co m e o u t o f th i s stran ge v i s i t ; s o w e all

w en t q u ietl y to th e lab b z * scarcely d ari n g to th ro w a n

g ,

eye at h i m as w e p asse d t h e d oor Never the w i n k o f .

Sleep co u ld the y Slee p that l i ve l o n g n i gh t th o u gh to b e -

, ,

s u r e I sle t l ike a t o t k no w i n g b ette r w h i le they

, p p n o , ,

w ere t al k i n and th i nk i n g f the l ittl e m a

g o n .

Whe n the y go t Up i n th e m orni n g every th i n g w as as ,

qu i et a n d as ti d y abo u t th e p l ace as i f n oth i n g h ad hap

p ene d f,
o r al l th at th e ch airs an d s t ool s w ere t u m bl ed here

there an d ever y w here w h e n w e s aw the l ad en ter

, , .

N o w i n d eed I f orget w heth er h e ca m e n ext n i gh t or n o t

, , ,

b u t any w ay th at w as th e rst ti m e w e ever l ai d eye U p o n

,

him . Th i s I k n o w f o r cer tai n th at about a m o nth a f ter , ,

that he ca m e reg u larl y every n i ght an d u sed to give U S a ,

S i gn al to be o n the m ove fo r t w as p l ai n h e d id n ot l i ke to
,

be observed T h is si gn w as al w a y s m a d e abou t eleve n

.

o cl ock ; an d th en if w e d l ook to w ar d s th e d oor ther e

,

,

w as a l ittle h airy ar m th r u st i n thro u gh th e ke y h ole w h i ch ,

w o u l d n ot h ave b ee n bi g e no u g h o nl y there w as a f res h ,

h ol e m ad e near th e rst o n e an d th e b it o f sti c k bet w ee n,

th e m h ad bee n broke n a w ay and s o t w as j u st tti n g for ,

th e l ittl e ar m .

T h e F ir D ar r ig con ti nued h i s v i sits n ever m i s s m g a ,

n i gh t as l on g as w e atten ded to th e si gna l ; s m oki n g al w ays

,

o u t o f th e i pe h e m ade h is o w n o f an d w ar m i n g h i m sel f
p ,

t il l d ay da w ned be fore th e re an d then go i n g n o o n e ,

l iv i n g k no w s w h ere : b ut th ere w as n ot th e l east m ark o f

h i m to be fo u n d i n th e m orn i n g ; an d ti s as true n u rse
,

D oyle an d h onest p eopl e as y o u are al l here Sitti n g before

, ,

m e an d b y th e Si d e o f m e th at th e fa m i ly con ti n ued ,

th ri v i n g a n d m y f ath er an d brothers ri si n g i n th e w orl d

,

w h i l e ever h e ca m e to U S Whe n w e observed th i s w e

.
,

u sed al w a y s l ook f o r th e ver y m o m en t to s e e w he n th e

ar m w oul d co m e and then w e d i ns tantl y y o ff w ith o u r

,

sel ves to o u r rest B u t b efore w e fo u nd the l uck w e u sed

.
,

so m eti m es sit stil l an d n o t m i nd th e ar m e s pec ial ly w he n ,

a nei gh bou r w o u l d b e w ith m y father o r that tw o o r three ,

o r f o u r o f t he m w ould h ave a d G a m o n g the m an d then ,

th ey d id n o t care f o r all th e ar m s h ai ry o r n ot th at ever , ,

w ere see n .N 0 one , h o w ever dared to S p ea k to i t o r o f ,

L ab b ig b e d f ro m L e ab a V i de O B R IE N an d O R E I L L Y

.
, .

18
206 T HE LU CKY G UE S T .

i t i n sol en tl y except i nd eed o n e n i gh t t h at Davy Ke nn an e

, ,

b ut h e w as d ru n k w al ked o ver an d h it i t a rap o n t h e

,

bac k o f the w ri st : the h an d w as s n atched o ff l i ke l i gh tn i n g ;

b u t every o n e k n o w s t h at D avy d i d n o t l i ve a m on th a fter
th is h a p pen ed t h o u g h h e w as o n l y a bou t te n d ay s si ck
,
.

Th e l ike o f s u c h tr icks are ti ckl i sh th i n gs t o d o .

A s su re as th e red m an w o u l d p u t i n h is ar m for a s i gn
'

throu gh th e h ole i n th e d oor a n d that w e d id n o t go an d ,

O p e n i t to h i m so s u re so m e m i sh ap be fel l th e cattl e : th e
, ,

c o w s w ere e l f ston e d o r overl ooke d o r so m eth i n g o r an o ~

-
, ,

the r w e n t w ro n g w ith th e m O n e n ight m y brother D an .

refu se d to go at th e si gn al a n d t h e n ex t d ay as h e w as , ,

c u tti n g tu r f i n C r o g h na d ri m i n a b og w i th i n a m il e an d a
- -
,

h al f o f th e h o u se a sto n e w as th ro w n at hi m w h i ch bro k e
,

fai rly w i th th e force i nto t w o h al ves N o w if th at h ad

, ,
.
,

h appe ned to h i t h im h e d be at th i s h ou r as dead as m y

g reat g reat gran d f ath er I t ca m e w h ac k Sla

p
. agai nst t h e

S p ade h e h ad i n h i s ha nd a n d s p l i t at o n ce i n t w o pieces
, .

H e too k the m Up an d tte d t he m togeth e r an d they m a d e ,

a p e r f e c t heart S o m e w ay or th e oth er h e l ost i t S i n ce

.
,

b u t h e sti l l h as th e o n e w h i ch w as sh ot at th e Sp otted m i l c h
co w ,
b e f ore th e l ittl e m an ca m e n ear u s M an y an d m an y .

a t i m e I s aw t h at sa m e ; ti s j u st th e sh ape o f th e ace o f

h earts o n th e cards o n l y i t i s o f a d ark red col o u r an d

, ,

pol ish ed Up l ike th e gra t e th at i s i n th e gran d parl ou r

w i th i n W h e n th i s d i d n o t k i l l th e c o w o n th e spot S h e
.
,

s w el l ed U p ; b u t i f y o u took a nd p u t th e e lf sto n e u n d er h e r -

u dder an d m i l k ed h er U po n i t to th e l ast stroki n g an d

, ,

th e n m a d e h er d ri n k th e m i lk i t w oul d cure h er an d Sh e , ,

w o u l d thr i ve w i th y o u e ver after .

B u t as I sai d w e w e re ge tti n g o n w el l e n ou gh as l o n
, , g
as w e m i n ded th e d o or a n d w atch e d for th e h ai ry ar m ,

w h i ch w e d i d Sh ar en o u h w h e n w e fo u n d i t w as b ri n gi n g
p g
l u ck to U S an d w e w ere n o w as gl ad to see t h e l itt le red
,

ge n tle m an an d as ready t o o pe n th e d oor to h i m as w e

, ,

u se d to d re ad h i s co m i n g at rst a n d be fri gh te n ed o f h i m .

B u t a t l o n g la s t w e th rove so w el l th a t th e la nd l ord G od
for g i ve h i m took n oti ce o f U S a n d e n v ie d u s a n d aske d , ,

m y father h o w h e ca m e by th e pe n ny h e h ad a n d w an te d ,

h i m t o ta k e m ore gro u n d at a rack ren t th at w as m ore -

tha n a ny C h ri st i an o u gh t to pay to a n oth er, seei n g there

w as n o mak i n g i t
, W h e n m y fath e r and s mal l bl am e te
.
 T HE L UC Y G U E S T
K . 2 07

h i m f o r t h at r e i s e d to l ease th e grou nd , h e t u rn e d u s o ff
th e b it o f l an d w e h ad , an d o u t o f th e h ou se an d al l , a n d
'

left US i n a w i de and w i cked w orld , w h ere m y f ather , f o r

h e w as a soft i n nocen t m an , w as n ot Up
to th e rog u ery a n d
tri ckery th at w as p ractised Upo n h i m H e w as take n th i s
.

w ay b y o n e an d that w a b an other a nd h e treati n g the m

y y ,

th at w ere w ork i n g h i s d o w n fal l A n d h e u sed to take

.

bite a nd sup w ith the m , a n d they w ith h i m , f ree e n ough as

l o n g as th e m on ey l asted ; b u t w he n th at w as go ne , an d h e
h ad n ot as m u ch grou n d , th at h e co u ld cal l h is o w n , as
w oul d s o d a l ark , they soo n Sh abbed h i m o ff The l and lord
.

d ied n ot lo ng a f ter ; a n d h e n o w k no w s w hether h e acted

r i ght or w ron g i n tak i n g th e h ou se fro m o ver o u r heads .

I t i s a bad th i n g for th e h eart to b e cast d o w n so w e ,

took an oth er cabi n an d l ooked o u t w ith great desire for

,

th e F i r D ar r ig to co m e to U S B u t te n o cl ock ca me an d
.

n o ar m al th o u gh w e c u t a h ol e i n the d oor j u st the mo r al

,

m odel of the other E l even l k l

t w el ve o cl ock !

( ) . o c o c

no ,
n ot a S i gn o f hi m : a nd e ver y n i g ht w e w atch e d bu t all ,

w o u l d n ot d o . We the n travel le d to th e oth er h o u se a n d ,

w e rooted Up th e h earth f o r th e la nd l ord asked so great a

,

ren t for i t fro m the poor peopl e th at n o o n e co u l d take i t ;

an d w e carried a w ay t h e very d oor o f th e h i n ges an d w e ,

brou gh t e very th i n g w ith u s th at w e th o u gh t th e l ittl e m an

w as i n any res pect partial to b u t he d i d n ot co m e an d w e
, ,

n ever s aw hi m agai n .

M y f ather an d m y m other a n d m y yo u n g Sister are

, ,
si n ce dea d an d m y t w o brothers w h o co u l d tel l al l a b ou t
, ,

t h i s better than m ysel f are b oth o f the m go ne ou t w ith I n

,

gra m i n h is l ast vo y age to th e Ca p e o f Good Hope leav i n g ,

me b eh i n d w i th o u t k ith o r k i n .

H ere yo u n g E ll e n s voi ce b eca m e ch oked w ith sorro w ,

an d b u rsti n g i nto tears sh e h i d h er f ace i n h er apron

, .
 F I E D A R R I G me an s the r e d man , an d is a m e mb e r o f the f airy
c o mm u n ity o f I r e l an d, w ho b e ars a s tro n g r e s e mb l an c e t o t he
S hak s pe ar i an P uc k , o r R o b i n Go o d fe ll o w . Li k e t h at m e r ry g o b li n
h is de l ig ht is i n m i s c h i e f an d m o c k e r y ; an d th i s I r i s h s pi r it is do ub t
le s s t he s ame as t he S c o tti s h R e d C ap ; w h ic h a w r it e r in t he Q u ar
t e rly R e vi e w (N o X LI V p
. . . t r aci ng n ati o n al an al o g i e s , as
s e r ts , i s t he R o b i n H o o d o f E n lan d , an d t he S ax o n s p i r it H Ud k in
g
o r H o de k in , s o c all e d f r o m t h e ho o d ak i n o r littl e h o o d w he r e i n he
ap p e ar e d , a s p i r it S i m il ar t o t he S p an i s h D ue n de . T h e F i r D ar r ig
h as al s o s o me t r aits o f r e s e mb l an c e i n c o mm o n w it h t he S c o tc h
B ro w n i e , t he Ge r m an K o b o l d (p ar tic u l ar ly t he c e l e b r ate d o n e , H in .

z e l man , ) t he E n g li s h H o b g o li n (M i lt o n s
b

L u bb e r Fie n d an d
t he F o ll e t o f Ge r vas e o f T u r y , w ho s ays o f t he F o ll e t o s , V e rb a
u ti q u e h u man e m o re au d i e r e t e g ie s n o n c o m p ar e n t . D e i s t is
p l e r aq ue m i r ac u l a m e m i n i m e i n vit a a b b r e v iat e e t m i r ac ul is b e at is

s i mi A n t o n ii r e p e r i s s e . O ti a I mp e r i ali a .

T he re d d re s s an d s t r an g e e x i b ility o f vo ic e p o s s e s s e d b y the F ir
D e r r i g fo r m h is p e c u li ar c har act e r i s tic s ; t he latte r , acc o rd i n g t o I r i s h
tal e - t e ll e rs , is li k e t he s o un d o f t he w ave s ; an d agai n it is c o mpare d to
t he mu s ic o f ang e l s ; t he w arb li n g o f b i rds , &C ; an d t he u s u al ad d r e s s
.

t o t hi s fai ry is , D o n o t m o c k U S . H is e n ti r e d re s s , w he n he is s e e n ,
is i n var i ab l y d e s c r i b e d as c r i ms o n : w he r e as , I r i s h f airi e s g e n e r ally
appe ar i n a b l ack hat , a g r ee n s u it , w h ite s t o c k i ngs , an d r e d S ho e s .
 TR E A S U R E L E GE N D S .

WW
B e ll b o o k

Th i s
,

he n g
, an d
o l d an d
c an dl e s hal l n o t d r iv e m e b ac k
i
sl v

is fair y g o ld, b o y ,
e r
,

b e c k

an d
s m e t o c

t w i ll

o m e o n

p
K i ng J
rove s o .

.

i n te r
o hn .

s Tale .

D R E A M I N G T IM JAR V IS .

X X X IV .

T I M O T H Y J A R V I S w as a decent hon est q u iet h ard w or k , , ,

-

i n g m an as e v ery bo d y k n o w s th at k n o w s B alle d e h e b
, .

N o w B alle d e h o b i s a s m al l p l ace abo u t f orty m iles w est ,

o f C ork .I t i s si t u ated o n the s u m m i t of a h il l an d y et i t ,

i s i n a deep val ley ; for o n all S ides there are l o ft y m o u n

tai n s th at rise o n e above an other i n b arre n gran d e u r an d ,

see m to lo o k d o w n w i th Scorn U po n th e l ittle b u s y v i lla g e

w h i ch th ey s u rro u n d w ith th ei r i d le an d u n ro d u cti v e
p
m agn i e n ce
c M an and beast h ave al i k e d e serte d the m to
.

th e d o m i n i o n o f th e e agl e w h o soars m ajesti cally o ver

,

the m O n the h i g h est o f t h ose m o u nta i n s there i s a s m all

.
,

an d as i s co m m only bel ieved u n fath o m able l ake , the o n ly

,

18
21 0 D R E A MI N G TI M JA RVI S .

i n h ab itan t hi c h is a h u ge serpe nt w h o h as be e n s o me
of w ,

t i m es see n to stretch i ts e n or m ou s h ead above t h e w aters,

an d frequentl y i s heard to u t ter a n o i se w h i c h S h akes the
v er y rocks t o th eir fo u n dati o n .

B ut as I w as say i n g ever y body k ne w T i m Jarv i s to

, ,

b e a d ece nt h o nest qu iet h ard w ork i n g m an w h o w as

, , ,
-
, .

t h ri v i n g e n ou gh to be abl e to g i ve h i s dau ghter Nelly a

fortu n e o f te n pou n ds ; a n d T i m h i m sel f w o ul d have been
s n u g en o u gh bes ides b u t that h e l o ved th e d G
, so m et i m es .

H o w ever , h e w as sel d o m back w ar d o n re n t day H is -

.

grou n d w as n ever d istrai ned bu t t w i ce and bot h ti m es ,

through a s m al l b i t o f a m i stake ; an d h i s l a n dl ord h ad

n ever bu t o n ce to s ay to h i m Ti m Jar v is y o u re al l
,

beh i nd T i m l i ke th e co w s tai l
, ,
N o w i t s o h a p pe ned

.

th at bei n g heavy i n h i m self t hrou g h th e d ri n k T i m took

, , ,

t o Sleep i n g an d th e sl eep s e t T i m d rea m i n g an d h e d rea m ed

, ,

al l n i gh t an d n igh t after n i gh t abou t c r e e k s fu l l o f gold

, ,

an d other precio u s sto nes ; s o m u c h s o tha t Norah Jarv is ,

h is w i fe c ou l d ge t n o good o f h i m by d ay a n d h ave l ittl e ,

c o m fort w ith h i m by n i g h t Th e gray d a w n o f th e m orn .

i n g w ou l d s e e T i m d i ggi n g a w ay i n a bog h ole m ay be o r -

, ,

r ooti n g u n der so m e o l d sto ne w al l s l i ke a pi g A t last h e .

d r ea m t that h e f ou n d a m i gh ty great cro ck o f gol d an d

s il ver an d w here d o y o u t h i nk ? E very step Cf th e w ay
U po n Lo n d o n br id ge i tsel f ! T w i ce T i m d rea m t i t a n d
-
, ,

t hree ti m es T im d rea m t th e sa m e th i n g ; an d at last h e

m ad e Up h i s m i n d to transport h i m sel f an d go o ver to ,

Lo n d on i n P at M ah on ey s coaster an d so h e d id !
,

Well h e go t th ere an d fou n d th e brid ge w ith ou t m u c h

, ,

d i ffi culty E very d ay h e w al ked Up an d do w n l ook i n g

.

f o r th e crock o f gol d bu t n ever th e n d d i d h e n d i t

, .

O n e d ay h o w ever as h e w as l ook i n g o ver th e brid ge i nto

, ,

t h e w ater a m an o r so m eth i n g l ike a m an w ith great

, , ,

black w h i skers l i ke a H essia n an d a black cl oak th at

, ,

r each ed d o w n to th e gro u nd taps h i m o n th e Sh oul der, ,

an d says h e T i m J arv i s d o yo u s e e m e ? ,
S urel y I d o s ir sai d T i m
, ; w o
, n der i n g t h at a ny b ody
s h ou l d k n o w h i m i n that stran ge place .

T im says h e w h at i s i t b r i n gs o u h ere i n f orei gn

, , y
p a rts ,
s o far a w ay fro m you r o w n cab i n by the m i n e o f

ra c o pper at B alle d e h e b ?
g y
 D R E A MI N G TI M JA RVI S . 21 1

P lease you r h o n ou r say s T i m , I m co m e to seek ,

m y fort u ne .

Yo u re a f ool for you r p ai n s T im i f th at s al l r e
, ,

,

m arked th e stran ger i n th e lack cl oak ; th i s i s a b i g p lace

b

to seek o n e s fortu ne i n to be su re b u t it s n o t s o easy to , ,

nd i t .

N e w T i m a fter d ebati n g a l on g t i m e w ith h i m sel f and

, ,

con sideri n g i n the rst p l ace th at i t m i ght be th e stranger

, ,

w h o w as to n d the crock o f gold f o r h i m ; an d i n the n ext

,
that th e stra n ger m ight d irect h i m w h ere to n d it ca m e ,

to th e resol u ti o n of tel l i n g h i m al l .

T here s m an y a o n e l ike m e co m es h ere seek i n g thei r

fortu nes sai d T i m ,
.

True sai d th e s t ran ger

.
,
B u t c onti n u e d T i m l ooki n g U th e body a n d bo nes
, p , ,

o f th e cau se f o r m ys e lf leavi ng th e w o m an and Nel ly an d , ,

th e b o y s an d travel l i ng so far i s to l oo k fo r a crock o f gol d

, ,

th at I m tol d i s l y i n g so m e w h ere h ereabou ts

.

A nd w h o tol d y ou that T i m ?
,
Why the n Si r th at s w h at I can t tel l m ysel f r i gh tly
, ,

on l y I d rea m t i t .

H o ho ! i s th at all T i m ! sai d th e stran ger lau gh i n g ;
, , ,
I h ad a d rea m m ysel f an d I d rea m e d th at I f ou n d a cro c k
;
o f gold i n t he Fort el d o n J erry Driscol l s grou n d at
, ,

B alle d e h o b ; a n d by th e sa m e token th e pi t w h ere i t l ay ,

w as close to a l arge fu rze b u sh al l f u l l o f y el lo w bl osso m

, .

T i m kn e w J erry D ri scol l s grou nd w el l ; a nd m oreo ver

, ,
h e k ne w the Fort eld as w el l as h e k ne w h is o w n potato
garde n ; h e w as certai n too o f th e v ery fu rze bush at th e , ,

n orth e nd o f i t se s w ear in g a b itter bi g oath say s h e

, ,

By al l the crosses i n a yard o f check , I a l w ays th o u gh t

th ere w as m oney i n that sa m e eld !
Th e m o m e n t h e ra p p ed o u t th e o ath th e stran ger d is ap ,

e ar e d an d T i m Jarvis w o nder i n g at al l that h ad hap

p , ,

pened to h im m ade th e best o f h i s w ay back to Ireland

, .

Norah as m ay w el l be s u pp osed h ad n o v ery w ar m

w el co m e for her ru n a w a y h u sban d th e d rea m i n g bl ack
, ,

g u ar d as s h e cal led hi m and s o soo n as sh e s e t eyes U p o n

,

h i m all th e bl ood o f her body i n o n e m i n u te w as i nto h er

,

k nu ckles to be at h im ; b ut T i m after h i s l on g j o urn ey , ,

l ooked s o cheerful an d s o h appy l i ke , th at s he cou ld n o t -

21 2 D E E A M IN G T I M J aH v I S .

n d it i n he r h eart to gi ve h im t h e rst bl o w ! He m a
n a e d t o pac i f y h is w i fe by t w o o r th ree b road h i nts abou t
g
a ne w cl oak a n d a pai r o f sh oes th at to Speak h o nestl y , , ,

w ere m u ch w anti n g for h er to go t o ch apel i n ; an d d ece nt

c l othes f o r Nel ly t o go to the patro n w i t h h er s w eetheart ,

an d brogues for th e boys a n d so m e cord u roy f o r h i m sel f

, .

I t w as n t for n oth i n g sa s T i m I w e n t to fo rei gn parts

y
al l th e w ays ; a n d yo u l l s e e w h at l l co m e o u t o f itm i n d
, ,

m y w ord s .

A f e w d ays after w ard s T im so l d h i s cab i n an d h i s garden ,

an d bo u ght the For t el d o f Jerry D ri scol l th at h ad n oth i n g ,

i n i t b u t w as fu l l o f th i stles an d o l d sto nes a n d black berry

, , ,

bu sh es ; a n d al l th e n e i gh bo u rs as w el l they m i ght
t h o u gh t h e w as cracked !
Th e rst n i gh t th at T im coul d su m m o n cou rage to beg i n
h is w o r k h e w al ke d o ff to the el d w ith h i s Sp ade U p o n
,

h i s sh o u lder ; a n d a w ay b e d u g al l n i gh t by th e s ide o f th e
f u rze b u sh , ti l l h e ca m e to a bi g sto n e H e struc k h i s .

Spade agai n st i t a n d h e heard a h ol l o w sou n d ; b u t as th e

,

m orn i n g h ad be gu n to d a w n and th e nei g h bo u rs w ou l d be

,

go i n g o u t to thei r w ork T i m n ot W i sh i n g to h a ve th e
, ,

t h i n g t al ked ab out w e n t h o m e to th e l i ttl e h ovel w h ere

, ,

N o rah and th e ch i ld re n w ere h u d d l ed together u n der a

h eap o f stra w ; fo r he h ad so l d every th i n g h e h ad i n th e

w orld to purch ase D r iscol l s eld th ou gh i t w as sa id t o be ,
th e back bo ne o f th e w orl d pi cked by th e d ev i l
-
, .

I t i s i m possi ble to d escri be th e epi thets a n d reproac h es

besto w ed by th e poor w o m a n o n h er u nl u cky h u sba n d f o r
b ri n gi n g h er i n to s u ch a w ay E p ithets an d reproaches ,
.

w h i c h T i m h ad b u t o n e m o d e o f an s w eri n g as th u s :

, ,
Norah d id o u s e e e er a c o w yo u d l ike ?
Nor a h
y o r

, , , ,

d ear has n t Po l l D easy a f eather b e d to sel l Nora h

?
,
or -
,

h o ney w ou l d n t y o u l ike y ou r S i l ver bu ckl es as b ig as
,

e s D oy l e s ?
.

A s soo n as n i gh t ca m e T i m stood besi de th e fu rze b u sh -

,

Spad e i n h and T h e m o m en t h e j u m p ed d o w n i n to th e p it
.

h e h eard a stran ge ru m b l i n g n oi se u n d er h i m a n d so p u t , ,

ti n g h i s ear agai n st th e great sto ne h e l iste ne d a n d e ver , ,

h eard a d isco urse th at m ade th e h ai r o n h i s h ead stan d u p

l i ke bul ru shes an d every l i m b tre m bl e
, .

H o w S h al l w e b ot he r T i m ? sai d o n e voi ce .
 D R E AM I N G T IM J A RVI S . 21 3
Take h im to th e m ou nta i n to be sur e an d m ak e him , ,

a tooth f ul for th e o u lrl s ar in t;

p ti s l on g Si n ce h e h a s had a

good m eal said an other voice
, .

T im sh oo k l ike a p otato bl osso m i n a stor m -

.

No sa i d a th ird vo i ce
, ; pl un ge h im i n t h e b o
g n eck ,

an d heel s .

T i m w as a dead m an barr i n g t h e breath ,

Ste p ! sai d a f ourth ; b u t T i m heard n o m ore f o r T i m ,

w as dead entirely I n abou t a n h o u r h o w ever the l i fe

.
, ,

ca m e back i n to h i m an d h e crept h o m e to Norah

, .

Whe n th e n ex t n i gh t arr iv ed the h opes o f th e cro ck o f ,

gol d go t th e better o f h is fears a n d taki n g care to ar m

W
,

h i m self w i th a bottl e o f poth een a w ay h e w en t to th e el d , .

J u m p i n g i n to th e pit h e took a l ittle s u p fro m the b o ttle

,

to kee p h i s h eart u p h e the n took a bi g o n e a n d th en ,

w i th des erate w ren ch h e w ren ched Up th e sto n e A l l

p , .

at o n ce U p r u shed a blast o f w i n d w i l d a n d erce a n d

d o w n fel l T im do w n d o w n an d d o w n h e w en tu nti l h e
, , ,

th u m ped U p o n w h at see m ed to be f o r al l the w orl d l ik e a , ,

oor o f shar p pi ns w h i ch m a d e h i m bell o w o u t i n earnest

,
.

The n h e hear d a w h isk a nd a h urra an d i nstantly V oi ces ,

bey o nd n u m ber cried o u t

e lc o m e T i m J arvi s de ar ! ,

W
,

e lc o me d o w n h e re !

,

T h ou gh Ti m s t eet h ch attered l ike m agpies w ith t h e fri g h t,

h e co nt i n ued to m ake an s w er I m h e he har ti ly o b o b - - - - -

l ige d to to y o u all ge n gen tle m e n f o f o r yo u r ci vi l ity t o

-
,
- -
,
-

t o a p oor stran ger l i ke m ysel f Bu t th o u g h h e h ad h eard
.

all th e voices abo u t h i m h e coul d s e e n oth i n g th e place

, ,

w as so dark an d s o l o neso m e i n itsel f f o r w ant o f t he l i ght .

Th e n so m eth i n g p u l le d T i m by th e h air o f h is hea d an d ,

dragged h i m h e d id n ot k no w h o w f ar b u t he k n e w h e
, ,

w as
g oi n g f aster th a n th e w i n d for h e h eard i t beh i n d h i m
, ,

tr y i n g to kee p u p w i t h h i m an d i t coul d n o t O n o n o n .
, , ,

h e w e nt ti l l all at on ce an d s u d d enl y h e w as sto p ped an d

, , , ,

so m ebo d y ca m e Up to h im an d said e l l T i m Jarvis

, , , ,

an d h o w d o y ou l i k e yo u r r ide ?

I no n m o r i, e n o n r i mas i v i v o :

P e n s a o r am ai p e r te , s h ai o r d i ng e g n o

Q ua] io d i ve n n i d un o e d alt r o p r ivo

.

D an te , I nf e r n o , c anto 34 .
21 4 D R E A MI N G TIM J ARV I S .

M i g h ty l l ! I th an k y o u r h o n ou r sa i d Ti m ; an d
w e ,

t w as a good beast I rode su rel y ! ,

T h ere w as a great l au gh at Ti m s a n s w er ; an d t h e n t h ere
w as a w h i speri n g an d a great c u gge r m u gger an d cosh er
, ,

i n g ; a n d at l ast a p retty l ittl e b i t o f a v oi ce said ,

,
S h ut

yo u r e y es an d y o u ll s e e , T im
'

.
,

By m y w ord then sa i d T i m t h a t is th e quee r w ay
'

, , ,

o f see i n g ; b u t I m n o t the m an to ga i nsay y o u s o I l l d o as

,

y o u bid me an y h
,
ow P rese n tl y h e fel
. t a s m al l w ar m
h an d r ubbed o ver h i s eyes w i th a n o i n t m e n t an d i n t he ,

n ext m i n ute h e s aw h i m sel f i n th e m i dd l e o f th ousan d s o f

l i ttl e m e n a n d w o m en n o t h al f s o h i gh as h is brogu e th at

WW
, ,

w ere p el ti n g o n e an oth er w i t h gol d e n gu i neas a n d l il y

w h i te th irteen s as i f th ey w ere s o m u ch d irt Th e nest .

d ressed a n d th e bi ggest o f the m al l w e n t Up to T im an d ,

s ays h e
,
T i m Jarv i s beca u se y o u are a d ecen t h o n est, , ,

q u iet c
, i v i l w el l,
Spoke n m a n
-
says h e ,
an d k n o w h, o w t o

beh av e you rsel f i n stra n ge co m pan y w e ve al tered o ur ,

m i n d s ab ou t y o u an d w il l n d a n ei gh bou r o f y o urs t h at
,

w i l l d o j u st as w el l to gi ve t o the o ld ser p ent .

O h th en l on g l ife t o o u , s ir ! sa i d T i m an d t h ere
, , y s ,

n o d ou bt o f that .

B u t w h at w i l l o u sa T im
i n qu i red t h e l ittl e fel
y y , ,

lo w ,
i f w e ll you r pockets w i t h th ese yel l o w boys ?
h at w i l l y o u s ay , T i m , a n d w h at w i ll y o u d o w i t h ,

the m ?

Y o ur h o n o u r s h o n o u r a n d yo u r h o n ou r s gl ory

, ,

a n s w ered i m I l l n ot be abl e to s ay m y pr ayers f o r o n e

T
,

m o nth w ith th ank i n g y o u an d i n d eed I ve e n o u gh t o d o

w i th th e m I d m ake a gra n d l ady y o u s e e at o n ce o f

.

, ,

Norah She h as bee n a go od w i fe to m e e l l h ave a .

n i ce b i t o f pork for d i n ner ; an d m ay be I d h ave a glass

, , ,

o r m ay be t w o g lasses ; o r so m eti m es i f t w as w ith a fr ie nd , ,

o r acq u ai ntan ce o r ossi p y o u k n o w th ree gl asses every

g , , ,

d ay ; an d I d b u i l d a n e w cab i n ; an d I d h ave a fresh egg

every m orn i n g mysel f fo r m y b reak fast ; a n d I d s nap m y

, ,

ngers at th e S q u i re an d bea t h i s h o u n d s i f th ey d c o m e

, ,

c o u rsi n g th ro u gh m y elds ; an d I d h a ve a n e w plo u gh ;

a n d Nor ah y o u r h o n ou r w o u l d h ave a n e w cl oak a n d th e

, , ,

boy s w o ul d h ave Sh oes a n d stock i n gs as w el l as B iddy

A n Engli s h s h illi ng w as thi rte en pe n ce I r i s h c urre n cy, .
 D RE AM I N G TIM J A R V I S . 21 5

Leary s brats t h at s

m y s i ster th at w as an d Nel ly w ou l d
m arry B il l Lon g of A ffad o w n ;
an d , you r h on ou r I d h ave ,

so m e cord u roy f o r m ysel f to m ake breeches and a c o w , ,

an d a be au ti f u l coat w i th sh i n i n g b u ttons an d a h orse t o ,

ri de o r m ay be t w o I d h ave ever y th i n g said T im i n

, .
, ,

l i f e goo d or b ad th at i s to b e go t f o r l ove o r m o ney

, ,

h u rra w h oo p ! an d that s w hat I d d o
- -

.

Take care i T m sai d th e l ittl e ell o
, ,
f w you r m on ey ,

w o u l d n ot go faster tha n i t ca m e w ith y o u r h u rra w hoo
p
-
, .

Bu t T i m h eed ed n ot th i s S p eech : h ea p s o f g ol d w ere

aro u n d h i m an d b e ll ed an d ll ed a w ay as h ar d as h e
,

cou l d h i s coat an d h i s w aistcoat and h is breeches p ockets ;

,

and h e th o u g ht h i m sel f very clever m oreover b eca u se b e , ,

st u ffed so m e o f th e gu i neas i nto h i s brog u es W h en th e

.

l i ttl e p eo p l e percei ve d th is th ey cri ed out

Go h o m e
, ,

T i m J arv i s go h o m e a n d th i n k y o u rsel f a l u cky m an
, ,
.

I he
p e ge ntle
,
m en sai d b e

w e w on t, p art f or
g oo d ,

and al l ; b u t m ay be y e l l as k m e to see y o u agai n an d to

,

gi ve y ou a fai r an d sq u are acco u n t o f w h at I ve d o n e w i th

yo u r m o ne y .

To th i s there w as n o an s w er o nl y an o th er sh o u t
Go
h o m e T i m J arv is go h o m e fa i r p la y i s a j e w e l ; b u t s h u t
,

,

y o u r eyes o r ye l l n ever s e e th e l i g h t o f d ay aga i n
,

.

T i m Sh ut h i s e y es k rio w i n g n o w that w as th e w ay to
,

se e cl earl y ; an d a w a y h e w as w h isked as be f ore a w ay ,

a w a y h e w e nt til l he agai n s t e pp e d all o f a s u d den .

H e r u bbe d h i s e y es w ith h is t w o th u m b s an d w h ere

w as h e ? W here b u t i n the very p i t i n the e l d th at w as
,

Jer Driscol l s an d h is w i fe Nor ah above w ith a b ig sti c k

,

read y to beat h e r d rea m i n g b l ac k g u ar d
T im roared o u t .

to the w o m an to leave th e l i f e i n h i m an d p u t h i s h and s ,

i n h i s p o ckets to Sh o w h e r the gol d ; b u t h e p u l led o u t

n ot h i n g o nl y a h an d f u l o f s m al l sto n es m i xed w ith y ell o w
f u rze b losso m s T h e b u sh w as u n d er h i m an d t he great
.
,

ag st o ne t hat h e h ad w r e nched u p as h e th o u gh t w as
-
, ,

l y i n g as i f i t w as n ever sti rre d b y h is S i d e : the w h i s k y

, ,

bottl e w as d ra i ne d t o the la s t ( lr o p ; an d th e p it w as j u st as
h i s Sp ade h ad m a d e it .

T i m J arvi s vexed d isa pp oi nted an d al m ost heart

, , ,
.

broken f ol l o w ed h i s w i fe h o m e : an d stran ge to sa y f ro m
, , ,

t h at n i gh t h e left o ff d r i nk i ng an d d rea m i n g a nd d el v i n g , ,
21 6 D R E AM I NG TIM J AR V IS .

i n b o g h ol es , an d rooti n g i n o ld caves He took a ga i n to .

h i s h ard w o r k in g h ab its a nd w as soo n abl e to buy b ack

-

h is l i ttl e cabi n an d for m er po t ato garden an d t o get al l th e -

,

e nj oy m e n t h e anti ci pated fro m th e f a iry gol d .

G i ve T i m o n e o r at m ost t w o gl asses o f w h isky p u n c h

,

( an d ne ith er friend acqu ai ntan ce

, n or gossi p c an m ak e h i m
,

take m ore ) an d h e w i l l rel ate th e story t o y o u m u c h better

,

th a n you h ave i t h ere In deed i t i s w orth go i n g to Bal

.
,

l e d e h o b to h ear h im tel l i t He al w ays pl ed ges h i m sel f to

.

th e tru th o f every w ord w i th h i s f ore n ge r s crossed ; a n d -

w h e n h e co m es to speak o f th e l oss o f h is g u i neas h e n ever ,

f ai l s to con sol e h i m sel f by a d d i n g If the y s tayed w i th

m e I w o ul d n t h ave l u c k w i th the m S i r ; a n d f ath er O Sh e a

,

tol d m e t w as as w el l f o r m e th e y w ere c han ged f o r i f they

,

h ad n t th ey d h av e b u rned h oles i n m y pocke t, a n d go t

,

o u t th at w a
y .

I Shal l n e ver forget h i s sol e m n c ou n ten an ce an d th e deep ,

ton es o f h is w arn i n g v oi ce w h e n h e c o n cl u d ed h i s tal e by

, ,

tell i n g m e th at th e n ex t d ay af ter h i s rid e w ith th e fai ries

, ,
M i ck D o w l i n g w as m issi n g an d h e bel ieved h i m to be ,

gi ve n to the s arp in t i n h i s p l ace as h e h ad n ever bee n ,

h eard o f S i n ce
Th e bl essi n g o f th e sai nts be bet w ee n
.

al l good m e n a n d h ar m w as the co n cl ud i n g se n ten ce o f
,

T i m J arvi s s n arrati ve as h e u n g th e re m a i n i n g d rop s

,

f ro m h is gl ass U p o n t h e gree n s w ard .

 21 7

R E NT -
D A Y .

XXXV .

OH u l lagone u l l agone ! th i s i s a w ide w orl d b u t w ha t

, ,

w il l w e do i n it o r w here w i ll w e o ? m u t tered B i l l
g,

D oo d y as h e sat o n a rock b y th e L ake o f K i llarney

, .

What w il l w e d o ? to m orro w s ren t d ay an d T i m the -

-
,

D ri ver s w ears if w e do n t p ay Up o u r ren t h e l l can t every

,

ha p e r th w e h ave ; and then sure e no u g h there s J u d y and , ,

m yself a n d the p oor l ittl e r ams w i l l be t u rned o u t to

"
, g ,

starve o n th e h i gh road f o r the n ever a h al fp en n y o f re n t

,

h ave I ! O h b o n e that ever I sh o u l d l i ve to see t h i s day !
-
,

T h u s d id E l l l D oo d y be m oan h is h ard f ate p o u ri n g h is ,

sorro w s to th e reckless w aves o f the m ost bea u ti f u l of

lakes w h ich see m ed to m ock h i s m isery as the y rejoi ced
,

beneath th e cl o u d less s k y o f a M ay m orn i n g T h at l ake .

,

gl i tteri n g i n s u n sh i ne Sp ri n kl ed w ith fa iry i sles o f rock

,

a n d ver d u re an d b o u n d ed by gian t h i l l s o f ever vary i n g

,
-

h ues m igh t w ith i ts m agi c beau ty ch ar m al l sad ness b u t

, , ,

despai r ; fo r alas ,

H o w i l l th e c e n e th at o ff e r s r e s t
s ,

A n d h e ar t th at c an n o t r e s t agr e e ! ,

Yet B i ll Doody w as n ot so desol ate as h e supposed ;

th ere w as o n e l iste n i n g to h i m h e l i ttle t h o u gh t o f a n d ,

h el p w as at h an d f ro m a q u arter h e coul d n ot h ave ex

p e c te d .

Wh at s th e m atter w i th y o u m y p oor m an ? said a

,

tal l portl y l oo k i n g gen tle m a n at th e sa m e ti m e ste pp i n g

-
,

o u t o f a f u rze brake N e w B il l w as seated o n a rock that

-
.

Co m m an d ed the V ie w o f a l arge eld Noth in g i n the el d .

co u l d be co n cealed fro m h i m except th i s fu rze brake w h i ch ,

-
,

g re w i n a h ol l o w near the m argi n o f the l ak e H e w as .

,

therefore n o t a l i ttle surpr i sed at t h e gentle m a n s sudde n
,

C h il d re n .

I9
21 8 RE NT -
DA Y .

a ppearan ce , an d began to qu est i o n w h ether the pers o n a ge

b e fore h i m bel o n ge d to th i s w orl d o r n ot H e h o w ever .
, ,

s o o n m ustered co u rage s u fc ien t to tel l h im h o w h i s cr e ps

h ad fai led h o w so m e bad m e m ber h ad char m ed a w ay h i s

,

b u tter a nd h o w T i m th e D river threaten ed to t u r n hi m

,

o u t o f the f ar m i f h e d id n t pay Up every pen ny o f th e ren t

by t w el ve o cl ock n ext day

.

A s ad story i ndeed sai d th e stran ger ; but su rel y i f
, ,

o u re rese nted th e case t o y o u r l a nd lord s agen t he w o n t

y p ,

h ave the h eart t o tu rn yo u o u t .

Heart yo u r h o n ou r ! w here w oul d a n age n t get a h eart !
,

e x clai m e d B il l I s e e yo u r h o n o u r d oes n o t k n o w h i m :
.

b es id es h e has a n eye o n th e far m th i s l o n g ti m e f o r a f o s

,

t e r e r o f h i s o w n ; s o I e x p ect n o m ercy at all at al l o n l y t o ,

be turned o u t .

Take th i s m y p oor fel l o w ta k e th i s sai d th e stran ger,

, , ,

pouri n g a p u r s e f u ll o f gol d i nto B il l s o l d h at w h i c h in

v

,

h is grief h e h ad u n g o n th e grou nd Pay t h e fel l o w .

you r ren t b u t I ll take care i t S hal l d o h i m n o goo d I

,

.

re m e m ber th e t i m e w h e n th i n gs w e n t other w ise i n th i s

co u n try w h e n I w o u l d h ave h u n g Up su ch a fello w i n t he
,

t w i n k l i n g o f a n eye !
Th ese w ord s w ere l ost U po n B il l w h o w as i nsen s i bl e t o ,

e ver y th i n g bu t t h e Si gh t o f th e gold a n d before h e cou l d ,

u n x h i s gaze a n d l i f t U p h i s head to po u r o u t h i s h u nd red

,

th o u sa n d bl essi n gs th e stra nger w as go n e Th e be w i l

, .

d ered peasan t l ooked arou nd i n search o f h i s be nefactor,

an d at l ast h e t h o u gh t h e s aw h i m r i d i n g o n a w h i te h ors e
a long w a o ff o n the l ake
y .

O D o n o g h u e O D o n o gh u e ! sh oute d B i l l ; th e good

, ,

t h e bl essed O D o n o gh u e ! an d h e ra n ca p eri n g l i k e a m ad

m an to Sh o w J u dy th e gold an d to rej o i ce h er h eart w ith ,

th e p ros p ect o f w eal th a n d ha pp i n ess .

The ne x t d ay Bi l l p roceeded to th e a ge n t s ; n ot s neak
.

i n gly w ith h is h at i n h is h and h i s eyes xe d o n the gro u nd

, , ,

a n d h is k nees be n d i n g u nder h im ; b u t ho ld an d u prigh t,

l i ke a m an co nsci o u s o f h is i n d e p en den ce .

Wh y d o n t u take o ff yo u r h at f ell o w

d o n t

y o ; y o u ,

k n o w y o u are Speaki n g to a m agi strate ? sai d th e age n t .

I kn o w I m n ot speaki n g t o th e k i n g s ir sai d B i l l

; , ,
 R E N T- D AY . 2l 9

a n d I never ta k es o ff m y hat but to t h e m I can re s pect

a n d l ove Th e E y e th at sees al l k n o w s I v e n o ri gh t
.

e ither to res p ect o r l ove an agen t !

Y o u sco u ndrel ! retorted th e m an i n o i ce b i ti n g h is ,

l i ps w i th rage at su ch a n u n us u al an d u nex p ected Oppos i

ti on I ll teach y o u h o w to be i nsolen t agai n I have the
,

po w er re m e m ber
, .

T o th e cost o f th e c o u n tr y I k n o w y o u h ave sa i d , ,

B il l w ho sti l l r e m ai ned w ith h is h ead as r m ly covered

,

as if h e w as th e l ord K i n gs ale h i m sel f .

B t co m e
u sai d th e m agistrate ; h ave y o u go t th e
,

m oney f o r m e P th is i s re nt day I f there s o n e pen ny o f

-
.
'

i t w anti ng o r the r u n n i ng gal e that s d u e pre p are to t u rn

,

,

o u t be f ore n igh t f o r o u S hal l n ot re m ai n another h our i n

y ,

possession .

T here i s yo u r ren t sai d Bi l l w i th a n u n m oved ex
, ,

pressio n o f tone an d cou nte nan ce ; you d better co u n t i t

,

an d g i ve m e a recei p t i n f ul l f o r th e r u n n i n g gale an d al l .

Th e a gen t gave a l ook o f a m aze m e n t at th e gol d ; f o r i t

w as gold real g u i n eas ! a n d n ot H i ts o f d irty ragge d s m al l
n otes that are o n ly t to l i g ht o ne s p i p e w ith H o w ever
, .

w i ll i n g th e agen t m ay h ave bee n to r u i n as h e th o u g h t , ,

th e u n fortu n ate te nan t h e took Up the gold a nd hande d

, ,

th e recei p t to B i ll w h o strutted o ff w i th i t as pro u d as a

,

e at o f h er w h iskers .

Th e age nt goi n g to h i s desk sh ortly after w as con fou nde d ,

at behol d i n g a h ea p o f gi n gerbread cakes i n stead o f th e

m o ney h e h ad de p osited there H e raved an d s w ore b u t
.
,

al l to n o pur p ose ; the gol d h ad beco m e gi n gerbread cakes ,

j u st m arke d l ike th e g u i neas w i t h t h e k i n g s h ead a n d

,

,

B il l had the recei p t i n h is p ocket ; s o h e s aw there w as n o

u s e i n sayi n g a n y th i n g abou t th e a ff ai r as h e w oul d o n ly ,

get l a u ghed at fo r h is p ai ns .

F ro m that h o u r B il l D ood y gre w ri ch ; al l h i s u nder

tak i n g s pros p ered ; an d h e o fte n blesses th e day that h e
m e t w it h O D o n o gh u e the great pri n ce that l i ves d o w n

,

u nder th e lake o f K i llarn e y .

L ike the b u tte r y t h e s p iri t o f O D o no gh u e cl osely h overs

,

over th e p erfu m e of the hi l ls a nd o w ers i t loves ; w h i le ,

as the reectio n o f a star i n t h e w aters o f a pu re lake , t o

2 20 L I NN N A
- -
P A Y SH T HA .

t h ose w l ook n o t ab o ve , t h at gl or i ou s Sp i r i t i s bel i eve d

ho
to d w el l beneath .

L I N N N A P A Y S H T HA
- -
.

X XXV I .

TR A V E L L E RS go t o I to see D u bl i n a n d t h e Dar
in s te r
gle ; to U l ster t o s e e t e G ian t s C a u se w ay an d p erh a p s ,
,

, ,

t o d o penan ce at Lo u gh D earg ; to M u n ster to s e e K i llar ,

ne
y th e
, bea u tifu l c i ty o f C o r k an d h al f a d oze n e t h
, er

f
n e th i n gs ; bu t w h o e ver t h i n ks o t h e fourt h prov i n ce ?

w h o ever th i n k s o f om
g g
t
w e s w ar d , w h e r e D ic k M ar in r u le d t

The h o u s e l e s s w i l d s o f C u n n e m ar a!

Th e U l s ter m a n s a n ci en t d en u nc iati o n to h el l o r to
-


C o n na u ght h as p oss i b l y led to th e Su p posit io n th at th is
,

i s a sort o f i n fernal p l ac e abo ve grou n d a k i nd o f terres

t ri al Pa nde m on i u m i n sh ort th at C on na u gh t is l i t t l e bett e r
j

th a n h el l o r h el l l ittl e w orse th an Co n na u gh t ; b u t l et an y
,

o n e o n l y go th ere for a m o nth an d as the n ati ves S a I l l

, y , ,
w arra n t h e l l soo n s e e th e d i ff er an d l earn to u ndersta n d

,

t hat i t is m i gh ty l i ke th e rest 0 gree n E ri n o n ly so m eth i n g

,

poorer ; an d y et i t m i gh t be th o u gh t th at i n th i s parti c ul ar
w
orse w oul d be n ee d less ; b u t s o i t i s .

M y graci o u s m e
,

sai d th e la n dl ad y o f th e I n n at S l i
,

g o , I w o n der a gentle m a n o f you r te e s te an d c u r e s i ty w o u l d

t h i nk o f l eav i n g I rel an d w i th ou t m ak i n g a to w e r tou r of
( )
 L IN N -
N A -P A Y SH TH A . 22 1

Co n nau gh t i f i t w as n oth i n g m ore t h an Spend i n g a d ay at

,

Hazle w ood and U p th e lake a n d o n to the o u ld abbey at

, ,

Friarsto w n an d th e castle at Dro m ah ai r
,
.

Polly M B r id e m y k i n d h ostess m i gh t n o t i n th i s r e

, ,

m o nstra nce h ave b ee n al to gether d i si ntereste d ; b u t her ad

v i ce p revai le d an d the d a w n o f th e f ol l o w i n g m orn i n g
,

fo u n d m e i n a b oa t o n th e u n r u l e d surface o f Lo u gh G il l .

A rri ved at the hea d o f that S p l e nd i d S heet o f w ater covere d ,

w ith ri c h a nd w ood ed i slan d s w i th thei r r u i ned b u ild i ngs ,

an d bo u n ded by to w eri n g m ou ntai ns noble p lantati ons , ,

grass y sl o p es a n d p reci p ito u s rock s w h ic h gi ve bea u ty an d

, , , ,

i n so m e p laces s u bl i m i t y t o its sh ores I p r o c e e d e d at o n ce

, ,

Up the w i d e ri ver w h i c h for m s i ts p ri nci p al tri b u tary Th e .

o ld a b be y i s c h iey re m arka b le f o r h av i n g been b u i l t

at a p eri o d nearer to the Re f or m ati o n than an y other eccle
s ias t ic al ed i ce o f th e sa m e class F u l l w i th i n V ie w o f i t .
,

a nd at the d ista nce o f h al f a m ile stands th e Shattere d ,

re m na nt o f B r e ff n i s pri n cel y h all I stro d e f or w ard w i th

.

th e enth u sias m o f a n ant iq u ar y an d the h i gh beati n g heart ,

-

o f a p atri oti c Iri sh m a n I f el t m ysel f o n classi c gro u nd

.
,

i m m ortal ize d by th e l a y s o f S w i ft and o f M oore I p u shed .

m y w ay i n to the h al lo w ed p reci n cts o f th e gra n d and v e

n e r ab l e e d ice I e ntered i ts ch a m bers an d oh m y co u n
.
, ,

t r y m e n I fo u n d the m c o n verte d i n to th e d o m i c il e o f p igs

, ,

co w s an d p o u l tr y ! B u t th e ex teri or o f O R o u r k e s o ld
,

h al l gray fro w n i n g an d i vy covere d i s w el l en o u gh ; i t
, , ,
-
,

s tan d s o n a beetl i n g p reci p i ce ro u n d w h ic h a n o ble ri ver ,

w heel s its co u rse T h e o p p osite ban k i s a very stee p as

.

cen t th i ckly w oode d an d ri si n g to a hei ght o f at least s e

, ,

v e n ty feet ; a nd f o r a q u arter o f a m i l e t h i s b eau ti f u l co p se

, ,

f ol l o w s th e co u rse o f th e ri ver .

T h e rst i n d i vi d u al I en co u n tered w as an o l d co w h erd ;

n or w as I u n fort u nate i n m y C i cerone fo r h e as s dr e d m e ,

th ere w ere p len ty o f o ld stories a b o u t stran ge th i n gs th at

u se d to be i n th e lace b conti n ed b for

p ; u t u e m,y o w n ,

Sh are I never m e t a n y t h i n g w orse n or m y s el f If i t bees

, .

o u l d stories that y o u r h o n o u r s a fter th e stor y abo u t L i n n

,

n a P ay s h t h a an d Po u l m aw G u ll aw n i s th e o nly th i n g
y
- - -

abo u t th i s p lace that s w orth o n e j ac k stra w

D oes yo u r -
.

h on o u r s e e that g reat b ig black h ole i n th e r i ver y o nder

bel o w ? He poi nted m y attenti o n to a part o f th e ri ver
"
19
 222 L I NN N A - '
P A Y SH T H A .

a b out fty yards fro m th e ol d h all w here a l o n g i sland o c ,

C U p ie d th e ce n tre o f th e w i d e c u rren t th e w a ter at o n e sid e ,

r u n n i n g Sh al l o w and at th e o th er ass u m i n g every a pp ear

,

an ce o f u nfath o m abl e d e p th The S p aci ous pool d ark an d ,

stil l w e r e a death l ik e q u i etud e o f surface I t l ooked as

,
-
.

if the Speckl ed tro u t w o u l d sh u n i ts mu r k y prec i n cts as

if eve n the dar i n g p ik e w o u l d S h ri n k f ro m s o gl o o m y a

W

d w ell i ng p lac e -
T h at s Li n n n a P ay s h t h a si r res u m e d
.

- -
, ,

m y gu i d e an d P o u l
, m aw G u lly aw n i s j u s t th e very m o r al -

o f i t o nl y th at i t s ro u n d a nd n ot i n a ri ver b u t stand i n g

, , ,

o u t i n th e m i d dl e o f a gree n el d abo u t a short q u arter o f

a m i l e f ro m th i s Wel l ti s as good as fo u rscore y ears I

,

.
,

o fte n har d m y f ath er G od be m erci f u l to h i m ! tel l th e ,

story si n ce M an us O R o u r k e a great b u ck ee n a cock

, ,

gh t i n g d ri nk i n g black g u ard t h at w as l o n g ago w e n t to

, ,

S lee o n e n i gh t a n d h ad a d rea m abo u t Li n n n a P a s h t h a

p y
- -
, .

Th i s lVIan U S the d irty s p al p een there w as n o he w i t h hi m ;

, ,

h e th o u gh t to ri d e ro u gh sh o d over h i s betters th ro u g h th e -

w h ol e c o u ntr y th o u gh h e w as n o t o n e o f th e real s t ock o f

,

th e O R o u r k e s

e ll th i s f el l o w h ad a d rea m that i f h e
.
,

d i ved i n L i n n n a P ay s h th a at t w el ve o cl ock o f a H oll o w

- -

e v e n i gh t h e d n d m ore gol d th a n w o u l d m ake a m an o f

,

hi m a n d h is w i fe w h i le grass gre w o r w ater ra n ,

The .

n ex t n i gh t h e h ad the s a m e d rea m a n d sure e n o u gh i f h e , ,

h ad i t the seco n d n i ght i t ca m e to h i m th e th i r d i n th e ,

sa m e for m M a n u s w el l beco m es h im never tol d m an ki n d

.
, ,

o r w o m an k i n d bu t s w ore to h i m sel f by all t h e boo ks th at

, ,

w ere e ver Sh u t o r e en that any h ow h e w ou ld go to th e

p , , ,

b otto m o f th e b ig h ol e W h at d id h e care f o r th e Pa y sh .

tha m ore th at w as ly i n g th ere to kee p g u ard o n th e gol d

-

an d S i l ver o f th e o ld an c ie nt fa m i ly that w as b u rie d th ere

i n th e w ars p acked Up i n t he bre w i n g p an ?
,
S u re h e w as -

as go o d an O R o u r k e as th e best o f t he m taki n g care to

'

,

forget that h is gran d m ot h e r s f ath er w as a c o w b o y to the

-

ear l O D o n n e l A t l on g l ast Hol l o w eve co m es a n d s ly

.
-
,

a nd S i len t m ast e r M an u s cree p s to bed e arl y an d j u st at ,

m id n i gh t steals d o w n to t h e r i ver si d e W he n h e ca m e -
.

to th e ba n k h is m i n d m i sga ve h im a n d h e w h eeled U p to ,

Fran k M C lu r e S the o ld Frank that w as the n at that ti m e

an d got a bottl e o f w h is k y an d took i t w i th h i m a n d tis , ,

u nk n o w n h o w m u c h o f i t he d ra n k He w al ked acr o ss to .
 W
L I NN -
N A P A Y SH T H A
-
. 22 3

th e isl and an d d o w n h e w e nt gal lan tly to th e botto m l ike

,

a sto n e S ure e no u gh the P ay s h t ha w as there a f ore h i m

.
,

W
l y i n g l i ke a great b ig co n ger eel seve n y ard s l on g an d as , ,

th i c k as a b u l l i n th e b o d y w ith a m an e U p o n h is h eck ,

l i ke a h orse T h e P ay s h t h a m ore reare d h i m sel f U p ; and

.
-
,

l ook i n g at th e poor m an as i f h e d eat h i m say s h e i n good

, ,

E ngl ish ,

A rrah th en M an u s

,
says h e h at bro u gh t y o u
, ,

,

h ere ? I t w o u ld h ave been better f o r y o u to have b l o w n

y o u r bra i n s o u t at o n ce w ith a p istol a nd h ave m ade a ,

q u iet e n d o f y o u rsel f th an to h ave co m e d o w n h ere for m e ,

to d eal w ith y o u .

O h p l ase you r h on ou r says M an u s I b eg m y l i fe :

, , ,
an d th ere h e stood sh aki n g l ike a d og i n a w e t sack .

e ll as y o u h ave so m e bl oo d o f th e O R o u r k e s i n
, ,

o u I f orgi ve y ou th i s o n ce ; b u t b y th is an d b that i f
y , y , ,
e ver I see y o u o r an y o n e bel o n g i n g to y o u co m i ng abou t
, ,

th i s p l ace a gai n I l l h an g a q u arter of y o u o n e very tre e
,

i n th e w oo d .

G o h o m e says th e P ay s h th a go h o m e M an u s
,

, ,

says h e ; an d i f y o u can t m ake better u s e o f y o u r ti m e

,
get d r u nk ; b u t d o n t c o m e here botheri n g m e Yet sto p !
, .
,
Si n ce are h er an d h ave ven t re d to co e I l h o
y o u e u m , l S w ,

o u so m eth i n g th at yo u l l re m e m b er ti ll go to u r

y y o u
y o
grave an d ever a f ter w h ile y o u l i ve
, , .

Wi th th at m y d ear he e p e n s an i ro n d oor i n the bed
, ,

o f th e ri ver an d never the d ro o f w ater ra n i n t o i t

, p ; an d
th ere M an u s sees a l o ng d r y cave or u n d er g ro u n d cellar ,

l ik e an d th e P ay s h t h a drags h im i n an d S hu ts th e d o o r
, , .

I t w as n t l o n g b e fore th e baste b ega n to get s m al ler an d

,
s m al ler an d s m al ler ; an d at la s t he gre w as l ittl e as a
,

t au gh n o f t w el ve y e ars o l d ; an d there h e w as a b ro w n ish

l i ttl e m an abo u t f our f eet h i gh
,
.

Plase y o u r h o nour sa y s M an us if l m igh t m ake so ,

,

b old m ay be y o u are o n e o f the good peo p le ?

,

M ay b e I am a nd m ay be I am n ot ; b u t a ny h o w , , ,

all y o u h ave to u n d ersta n d i s th is th at I m b o u n d to l ook

,

a fter th e T h ie r n as o f B r e n i a n d take c are of the m t h rou gh

"E
,

every generati o n ; an d that m y present b u si n ess i s to w atc h

Tig lze ar n aa l o r d V i d e O B R IE N .

.
224 L INN N A - -
P A Y SHT H A .

t h i s cave , an d w h at s i n i t t i l l t h e o ld stock is re i gn i n g

, .

o ver th i s cou ntry o nce m o r e .

f M ay be yo u are a sort o f a ba n sh ee ?

.

I am n ot yo u fool sai d th e l i ttle m an

,
Th e ba n ,

.

s h ee i s a w o m an M y b u si ness i s to l i ve i n th e for m y o u

.

rs t s aw m e i n guard i n g th i s Spot
,
A n d n o w h ol d you r .

ton g u e an d l oo k abo u t y o u
,
.

M a n u s r u b bed h i s e y es an d l ooked ri gh t a n d le ft b e ,

f ore a n d beh i n d ; an d th ere w ere the v ess e l s o f gol d an d th e

V essel s o f s i l ver th e d ish es a n d the pl ates a n d th e cu ps
, , , ,

an d th e p u n c h bo w l s an d th e tan kard s : th ere w as th e

-

golde n m eth er too th at every T h ie r n a at h is w edd i n g u sed

, ,

to d ri n k o u t o f to th e kern e i n real usquebau gh T here .

w as all the m o ney th at ever w as saved i n the fa m il y S i nce

,

they got a gra nt o f th is m an or i n t he d ays o f th e F i rbol gs , ,

d o w n to th e ti m e of th ei r o u ter ru i n ati o n He th e n .

brough t M an u s o n w ith h i m to w here there w as ar m s f o r

th ree h u nd re d m e n ; a n d th e s w or d s e t w ith d iam o n d s an d
,

th e gold e n h el m et o f th e O R o u r k e ; a n d h e Sh o w ed hi m
~

th e s ta m a d e o u t o f a n el eph an t s too th a n d s e t w ith r u ,

b ies an d gold th at th e T h ie r n a u sed to h ol d w h i l e h e s at

,

i n h i s great h all gi vi n g j u sti ce a n d th e l a w s o f th e B re

,

h on s to al l h i s clan T h e rst roo m i n th e cave ye s e e

.
, ,

h ad th e m o ne y an d th e p l ate t h e seco n d roo m h ad the ,

ar m s an d th e th i rd h ad th e books pa p ers parc h m ents

, , , ,

ti tle d eeds w i l l s a n d e very th i n g el se o f the sort bel on gi n g

-

, ,

t o the f a m il y .

A n d n e w M an u s says t h e l i ttl e m an

,
y e seen th e , ,

w h ole 0 th is a n d go y o u r w ay s ; b u t n ever co m e to th i s

,

pl ace an y m o re o r all o w a ny o n e else I m u st kee p w atc h

,
.

an d w ard ti l l th e Sas s an ac h i s d r u v o u t o f Irel an d an d th e ,

T h ie r n as o B r e ff n i i n their gl ory agai n Th e l i ttl e m an

.

th e n s te pp e d for a w h i le a nd l ooked u p i n M a n u s s face ,

an d says to h i m i n a great passi o n A rrah ! bad l u ck to y e , ,

IVIan u s w hy d e n t y e go abou t you r b u si ness ?

,

H o w ca n I ? s u re y ou m u st Sh o w m e th e w ay o u t ,

says M an u s m ak i n g a ns w er Th e l ittl e m an t h en po i n ted

, .

for w ard w i th h is n ger .

Ca n t w e go o u t th e w ay w e ca m e ? sa y s M an u s

.

No y ou m u st go o u t at th e other en d th at s th e
, ,

rul e 0 th i s pl ace Y e ca m e i n at L i n n n a P ay s hth a an d

.
- -
,
 L I NN -
NA -
P A Y SH T H A . 22 5

y o u m u stgo o u t at Poul m aw Gully aw n : ye ca m e d o w n- -

l ike a stone to the botto m o f o n e h ole an d y e m u st s p ri n g ,

U p l ike a c or k to th e to p o f th e other With th at the l i ttle .

m an gave hi m o n e ho is e an d al l t hat M an u s re m e m b ers

,
w as th e roar o f th e w ater i n h i s ears ; an d s u re e n o u h h e
g
w as f o u n d the n e x t m orn i n g h i h an d d r f ast asl ee w ith
g y p , ,

the e m p t y bottle besid e h i m b u t f ar e n o u g h f ro m th e pla c e ,

h e th o u g h t h e lan d e d f o r i t w as j u s t b elo w y o n d er o n th e
,

i sl an d that h is w i fe f o u n d h i m M y father Go d be m erci f u l .

,

to h i m ! heard M anu s s w ear to e very w or d o f the stor y

.

As t he r e ar e fe w thin gs w hi c h e x cite hu m an de s ir e th ro u g ho u t all

n ati o n s m o r e t han w e alt h t he l e e n d s c o n c e r n i n t h c o n c e al m e n t
g , g e ,

d i s c o v e r y an d ci r c u lati o n o f mo n e y ar e as m ay b e e x pe ct e d w i d e ly
, , ,

W
e xte n d e d ; i l l h ci c m t c w hic h ad m it o f s o m u c h f an

W
y e t n a t e r u s an e s ,

c i f u l e m b e ll is h m e n t t he r e e ve ry w he r e e x is t s a s t r i k i n S i m il ar it
, g y .

L i k e t he g o l d e n ap pl e o f t he H e s p e r i d e s tr e as u r e i g u ar d e d b y a
s , s

d rag o n o r s e r pe n t V i d e C re u z e r , R e l ig i o n s de l A n t iq Uit e , t r ad u c t i o n

W
.

d e Gu 1 g n iau t , i 248 P ar is , 1 825 S t o r i e s o f it s d i s c o v e r y in c o n s e

. . .

qu e n c e o f d r e ams o r s pi r it u al ag e n cy ar e s o n u m e r o u s , t hat , i f c o l
l e c te d , t h e y w o u l d ll m an y v o l u m e s , y e t t h e y v ary littl e i n d e t ai l
b e y o n d t he act o r s an d l o c ality V i d e G r i m m s D e ut s c he S ag e n , i

. .

290 Th i e l e s D an S k e F o lk e s ag n , i 1 1 2, i i 24

Ki rke s S e cre t

C
. . . .

o m m o n w e alt h , 1 2 &
p , .c .

T he C i r c ul ati o n o f m o n e y -b e s t o w e d b y t he f ai r i e s o r s u p e r n at u r al
p e rs o n ag e s , l i k e t hat o f c o u n te r fe it c o i n , is s e ld o m e xt e n s i v e Se e .

s t o ry , i n t he A r ab ian N i ht s , o f t h e o l d r o gue h ose ne lo o ki n

g
-
g
m o n e y t u r n e d t o l e av e s he n
. al d e m ar , o l g ar , an d G re n J e tt e H
i n D an i s h t r aditio n , b e s t o w m o n e y u p o n t he b e e r s w ho m t he y m e e t ,
t he i r g i f t s o m e ti m e s tu r n s to re , s o m e ti m e s t o pe b b le s , an d s o m e
ti me s is s o h o t , t hat t he r e c e i v e r dr o p s it f r o m his hand, w he n t he
g o l d , o r w h at app e ar e d t o b e s o , s i n k s i n t o t he gr o u n d .

In p o o r I r e lan d , t h e w r e t c he d p e as an t c o n te n t s h ims e l f b y s o lilo .

q u i z i n
g M o n e y is t he d e v il , t he y s ay ; an d Go d is g o o d t hat H e
k e e ps i t f r o m U S
.
 R O CK S A N D STON E S .

W
Fo r m s in

g
S

h
il e n c e

e m
fr o w n d ,

S hap e l e s s an d n am e l e s s ; an d t o m i n e e ye
S o m e t i me s t he y r o ll e d o ff cl o u d ily,
e dd i n t

s e lve s w it h l
Gi g an tic t o my t r o u b l e d V i e w ,
A n d s e e m d t o g at he r r o und m e

o o m

o r gr e w

B A N I M S C e l t s P ar adis e

.

T H E LE GE N D O F C A IR N T HIE R N A .

XXXV I I .

F R O M th e to w n o f F e r m e y f a m ou s for th e ex cel l en ce o f
,

i ts bottled ale y o u m ay p lai n l y s e e th e m ou n tai n o f Cai r n

,

T h ie r n a . I t i s cro w n ed w i th a great h eap o f sto nes w h ich , ,

as th e cou n try p eo p l e re m ark n e ver c am e t h e r e w i th ou t

,

a crooked th ou gh t a n d a cross ob S tran ge i t i s th at
j .
,

a n y w ork o f the goo d o ld ti m es sh oul d be co ns i dered o n e

Of labou r ; for ro u n d to w ers the n S p ru n g U p l ike m ush roo m s
i n o n e n i gh t a n d peo pl e pl ayed m arbles w i th pieces o f
,
.

ro ck that c an n o w n o m ore be m oved th an th e h i ll s the m

,

s el ves .
 L E GE N D OF C AIRN T H IE R N A . 22 7

T hi s great p i le o n th e top o f Cairn T hie r n a w as cause d

b y the w ord s of a n o ld w o m an w h ose bed sti l l re m ai n s ,

L a b ac a l ly th e h ag s b e d n o t far f ro m th e V i l lage o f
,

G lan w orth S he w as certai nl y far w i ser th an any w o m an

.
,

e ither o ld o r you n g o f m y i m m ed i ate acq u ai n tan ce J o ve

, .

defe n d m e h o w ever fro m m ak i n g a n e n v io u s co m pari so n

, ,

bet w ee n l ad ies ; b u t facts are st u b born th i n gs a n d the le ,

e nd w il l rove m asserti o n
g p y .

O K e e fe w as l ord of Fer m o y before th e Roch es ca m e

'

i nto th at p art o f the co u n try ; an d h e h ad a n o nly so n

n ever w as there see n a ner ch il d ; h is y o u n g f ace l le d
j
w ith i n n o c e n t o y w as eno u h to m ake an y heart glad yet
g ,

h i s f ath er l ooked o n h is s m i les w i th s orro w f o r a n o ld h ag ,

h ad foretol d that thi s bo y sh o u l d be d ro w ned before h e

gre w u p to m an h ood .

N e w alth ou gh th e proph ec ies o f P as t o r i n i w ere a f ai l

,

u r e i t is n o reaso n w hy ro heci es sh o u l d altogeth er b e

, p p
d es p ised T h e art i n m o d ern ti m es m ay be l ost as w el l
.
,

as that o f m aki n g beer o u t Of th e m o u ntai n h eath w h i c h ,

the Danes d i d to great per fecti o n B u t I take i t th e m al t .

,

o f T o m Wal ker i s n o b ad s u b sti tute f o r the o n e ; an d i f

evil p ro p hecies w ere to co m e to p ass l ike the o ld w o m an s ,

,
i n m y O p i n io n w e are far m o re co m f ortable w i th out s u c h
k n o w le d ge .

I nfan t he i r of
p r o u d F e r mo , y
l
F e ar h o t fi e ds o f s aug h e r ; l t
t
S o r m an d r e f e ar n o t , m y b o y ,
t l
B u t s hu n t he f a a w a e r
t .

These w ere t he w arn i n g w ords w h i ch ca u sed t h e ch i ef of

Fer m oy so m u ch u n ha pp i ness H i s i n fan t so n w as care .

fu ll y p revented al l a p p roach to the ri ver an d a n xi o u s ,

w atch w as ke t over e ver y l ay f l m ove m en t T h e ch i l d

p p u .

gre w Up i n stren gth an d i n b ea u t y an d e very d ay b eca m e ,

m ore dear to h is f ather w h o h O p i n g to avert t h e d oo m

, , ,

w h i ch h o w ever w as i nev i tabl e re ared to b u il d a castl e

, , p p ,

far re m oved f ro m the d rea d e d ele m en t .

T h e t o p o f Cai rn T h ie r n a w as the p l ace ch osen ; an d th e

l ord s vassal s w ere asse m ble d an d e m p l o y e d i n col lecti n g

,

m aterial s fo r th e p u r p ose H i th er ca m e th e f ated boy ;

.

w i t h del igh t h e V i e w ed t h e l abor i ou s w ork of ra i si n g

 2 28 LE GE N D O F CA R NI T H IE RN A .

m i gh ty sto nes fro m th e base to th e s u m m i t o f t h e m ou n

tai n u n ti l th e vast hea p w h i c h n e w f or m s i ts r u gged cres t
,

w as acc u m u l ate d Th e w ork m e n w ere abo u t to co m m e nce

.

th e b u il d i n g a nd the boy w h o w as co n sidered i n sa fe ty

, ,

w h e n o n the m ou ntai n w as all o w ed to rove a bou t at w i l l

, .

I n h is case h o w true are th e w ords o f the great dra m at i st :

P u t b u t a li ttl e w ate r i n a S p o o n ,
A n d i t s h al l b e , as al l th e o c e an ,
E n o u gh t o s tie s u c h a b e i ng u p
.

A ves s el w h i ch c o ntai n ed a s m al l s u p p l y of w ater b rou g h t ,

there f o r th e u s e o f th e w ork m en attracted the atte ntio n

,

o f the c h il d H e s aw w ith w o n der t he gl i tter o f t he s u n

.
, ,

b ea m s w i th i n i t ; h e ap p roached m ore n ear to gaze w he n a ,

f o r m rese m bl i n g h i s o w n arose be fore h i m He gave a cry .

o f j oy an d asto n ish m en t an
d d re w b ack ; the i m age d re w

bac k al so a n d V a n i shed A gai n h e a p proached ; agai n t he

,
.

for m a p p eared ex press i n g i n every feat u re del i ght co rre

,

S p e n d i n g w i th h i s o w n E a g er to w el co m e th e y o u n g
.

stran ger h e be nt o ver th e vessel to p ress h is l i p s ; an d los i n g

, ,

h i s balan ce th e fatal pro p h ec y w as acco m p l i she d

, .

Th e fath er i n des p ai r a b an d on ed th e co m m e n ce d b u il d
i n g ; an d th e m aterial s re mai n a proof o f th e fol ly
te m pti n g t o avert t he co urse o f fate .
 A FE W T HE R O C K O F T HE

tai n e d by that c i ty
XXXV III
m iles w est o f L i m er ick stan ds th e o n ce f o r m id a
bl e castle o f Car r ig o gu n n e l Its r i ve n to w er an d broke n

.
.

arch w a y re m ai n i n m ou rnful e v i den ce o f th e s ie g es s u s

Ti m e h o w ever the grea t soot her o f
,

al l th i n gs h as destroye d the p ai n f u l e ffect w h i ch th e V i e w

,
.
C A N DLE

,
.

Of rece n t V i ol e nce prod u ces o n the m i nd T h e i v y creeps .

arou n d the r i ve n to w er co nceal i ng its i nj u ries a n d U p h ol d

, ,

i n g i t by a to u g h S w ath i ng o f stal k s T h e arc h w ay i s .

agai n u n ited b y the l o n g ar m ed brier w h i c h g ro w s across

-

th e re n t a n d the Shattered bu ttresses are decorate d w i t h

,

w i l d o w ers w h i c h ga i ly Spri n g f ro m thei r c r ev ices an d

,

broke n p laces .

B ol dly Situated o n a rock th e r u i n ed w al l s o f C ar r igo

,

gu n n el n o w f or m o nly a ro m an ti c feature i n th e peacefu l

l and sca p e Beneath the m o n o n e S i de l ies th e at m arshy
.
, ,

g ro u n d cal l ed Corcass lan d w h ich borders th e n obl e ri ver

,

S han n o n ; o n th e other si d e i s see n th e neat parish c h u rc h

o f K i lk e e d y , w i t h i ts g lebe h o u se a n d s u rro u n d i n g i m
-

r o v e m e n ts ; an d at a S h ort d istan ce a p p ear th e irregular

p
m u d cabi ns o f the l i ttle V i l lage o f B ally b r o w n , w i t h t h e
'

venerable trees o f Terv e e .

O n the roc k o f C ar r igo gu n n e l before th e castl e w as bu i lt , ,

o r Brie n B oro bor n to bu i l d i t d w el t a h ag n a m ed Grana , ,

w h o m ade desol ate th e s u rrou nd i n g cou n try S h e w as gi .

an t ic i n Siz e an d fri ght fu l i n a p pearan ce Her eye b ro w s

g , .

gre w i n to each other w ith a gri m c u rve an d b eneath th e i r ,

m atted bri stles deepl y s u n k i n h er head t w o s m al l gray

, ,

eyes darted forth banefu l l ooks o f ev il Fro m her dee p ly .

w ri n kl ed forehead i ssued f orth a h ooke d beak d ivid ing ,

t w o shri velled cheeks Her sk i n n y l i p s cu rl ed w ith a

.

cr u el an d m al ignan t expressi on a n d her pro m i nen t ch i n ,

w as s t u dded w i t h b u n ches o f grisly h ai r .

Deat h w as h er Sport L ike th e an gler w i th h i s r e d, t he

.

b ag Grana w o ul d to i l , an d w atch n or th i n k i t l abo ur s o , ,

230 THE ROCK OF TH E C ANDLE .

tha t t h e d eat h o f a v i cti m re w arde d h er V i g i l s E very .

e ve n i n g d i d S h e l i gh t a n en c hanted ca n d le U po n t h e rock ,

an d w h oever l ooked U po n i t d i e d before th e n ext m orn i n g s

s u n arose . N u m berl e s s w ere t he V i ct i m s over w h o m

G ra n a rejo i ced ; o n e after th e ot h er h ad see n the l igh t an d ,

th ei r d eath w as th e co n sequ en ce Hen ce ca m e th e cou n try .

ro u n d to be desolate a nd C ar r igo gu n n e l, th e Rock of t h e

,
'

C an d le , by i ts d rea d ed n a m e
Th ese w ere fearful ti m es to l i ve i n B ut t h e F i n n ii o f .

E r i n w ere th e a ve n gers o f th e oppressed Th e i r fa m e h ad .

o n e forth t o d i stan t sh ores a n d the ir deed s w ere su n g by

g ,

a h u n dred bard s T o th e m th e n a m e o f d an ger w as an

.

i n v i tati o n to a r i ch ba n q u et Th e w e b o f e n cha nt m e n t
.

s te pp e d t h e i r cou rse as l ittl e as th e s w ord s o f an e ne m y .

M any a m oth er o f a s o n m any a w ife o f a h u sband m an y

a s i ster o f a brot h er h ad t h e v al ou r o f t h e F i n n ian h eroes
,

b ereft . D i s m e m bered l i m bs q u i vered a n d h ead s bou n ded ,

o n th e grou n d before th e i r pro gress i n battl e They rus h ed .

f or w ard w ith the s tre n gth o f the fu riou s w i n d tear i n g u p ,

t h e trees o f the f orest b y the i r roots Lo u d w as th e ir w ar .

cry as th e th u n d er r ag i n g w as th e ir i m petuosi ty a bove t h at

,

o f co m m o n m e n an d erce w as th e i r an ger as th e stor m

, y
w aves o f th e ocean !
I t w as th e m i gh ty F i n n h i m sel f w h o l i fted Up h i s v o i ce ,

an d c o m m a n de d th e fatal ca n d l e o f the b ag G ran a t o be

exti n gu i sh ed
. Th i n e Regan b e th e task , h e said a nd
, , ,

to h i m h e gave a cap th ri ce char m ed by th e m agi c ian L u n e

o f L o c b li n .

W i th th e star o f th e sa m e e ve n i n g th e ca nd le o f d eat h
b u r n ed o n th e rock an d Rega n stood ben eath i t Had h e
, .

be hel d the sl i gh test gl i m m er o f i ts blaze h e t o o , w oul d , ,

h av e per i s he d an d t h e b ag G ran a w i th the m or n i n g s

, ,

d a w n rejo i ced o ver h i s corse Wh e n Re ga n l ooked to

,
.

w ard s th e Ii gh t th e ch ar m ed c ap fel l o ver h i s eyes a n d

,

preve nted h is see i n g T h e r o ck w as steep bu t h e cl i m be d

.
,

u
p its craggy S i de w i th su ch ca u ti o n a n d dexteri ty th at , ,

before th e hag w as a w are th e w arr i or w i th averted h ead , , ,

h ad seized th e ca ndl e a nd u n g it w i th prod igi ou s force

,

i nto t h e r i ver S h an n o n ; the h iss i n g w aters o f w h ic h

q ue nc h ed its l i g h t fo r ev e r !
 T HE R OC K OF T HE CA N D L E . 231

T h e n e w t h e c h ar m ed cap fro m th e ey e s o f Reg an an d ,

h e behel d the enraged b ag w i th o u tstretch ed ar m s p repared

, ,

t o se i ze a n d w h i rl h i m a fter her c an dle Regan i nstantly .

bou n ded w est w ar d fro m th e rock j ust t w o m iles w it h a ,

W
w il d a n d w o ndrous S ri n g G ran a l ooked for a m o m en t
p .

at the leap an d th e n teari n g Up a h u ge frag m e n t of the

,

r ock u n g i t after Regan w i th such tre m endou s force that

, ,
her crooked h and s tre m bled an d h er broa d chest h eave d
w i th h eavy pu ff s l ike a s m ith s l abo u ri n g bel l o w s fro m

, ,

th e exert ion .

T h e p o nderou s sto n e fel l h ar m l ess to th e grou nd fo r th e ,

l eap of Rega n far exceeded the stre ngth of the fu ri ous h ag .

I n tr i u m ph h e retu rned to F i n ;
T h e h e r o v ali an t , r e n o w n e d , an d l e ar n e d ;
h i te t o o th d , g r ac e f u l , mag n an i m o u s , an d
-

ac ti ve .

T h e h ag Gra n a w as n ever heard o f m o re ; bu t th e sto n e

r e m ai n s a nd dee p l y i m pri nted i n i t i s stil l to be see n th e
, ,

m ark o f the h ag s ngers Th at sto ne i s far tal ler tha n

.

the tal lest m an a n d the p o w er o f f orty m e n w o u l d fai l to

,

m ove i t fro m the spot w h ere i t fel l .

Th e grass m ay w ither arou n d it th e spad e an d pl oug h ,

destroy d ul l heaps o f earth the w al l s o f castles f al l an d

,

perish b ut th e fa m e o f th e F in n ii o f E ri n en d u res w ith th e

,

r ocks th e m sel ves an d C lo ug h a B e g ann i s a m o n u m en t

,
- -

tti n g to pres erve t h e me m ory o f t he d e ed !

 C L O U GH NA C U DDY .

X X X IX .

A B O V E al l th e i sl an d s i n the lakes o f K i l l ar ne y g i v e me
I n n is falle n s w eet I n n is falle n as t h e m el od i o u s M oor e

,

c all s i t It i s i n tru th a fai ry i sl e alth ou gh I h ave n o

.
, , ,

f ai ry story t o tel l y o u abo u t it ; an d i f I h ad t h ese are su c h ,

u n b el i e v i n g ti m es a n d peopl e o f l ate h ave gro w n s o skep

,

ti cal th at th ey o n l y s m i le at m y stor i es a n d d o ub t t h e m
, ,
.

H o w e ve r n o n e w i l l d o u bt th at a m o nastery o nce stoo d

,

U po n I n n is falle n i sl a n d f o r i ts r u i n s m ay sti l l b e S e e n ; n e i
,

t h er that w i th i n i ts w al l s d w el t certa i n p i ou s an d l earn e d

,

person s cal l ed M on ks A very pleasan t s e t o f fello w s

.

th ey w ere I m ake n o t th e s m allest d ou bt ; an d I am sur e

,

o f th i s th at th ey h ad a v e ry
, p l easan t Spot t o enjoy t h e m
s el ves i n after d i n ner th e r O p e r ti m e b el i eve m e an d I
p , ,

am n o bad j u d ge o f s u c h m atters f o r the enj oy m e n t o f a ,

n e pros p ect .

O u t o f all t h e m o n k s y o u co ul d n o t p i ck a better fel l o w

n o r a m err i er so u l t h a n F ather C uddy ; h e su n g a goo d

son g h e tol d a go o d story a n d h ad a j ol ly co m fortabl e

, , ,

l ook i n g pau n c h o f h i s o w n th at w as a cred i t to any r e fe c

,

tory tabl e H e w as d isti n g u ished ab ove all th e r est by t he

.

n a me o f th e fat fath er N o w th ere are m an y th at w i l l
.

t ake h u ff at a n a m e ; b ut Fath er C u dd y h ad n o n on sen se O f

th at k i n d abo u t h i m ; h e lau ghe d at i tan d w e ll abl e h e

W
w as t o l au gh f o r h i s m outh n earl y reach ed fro m o n e ear t o
,

th e o th e r : h is m i gh t i n truth be cal led an ope n c e n ate

, ,

n an ce .A s h is p au n c h w as n o d isgrace t o h i s f o od , n e it h e r
w as h i s n ose t o h is d r i n k T is a d ou b t to m e i f t h e r e
.

w ere n o t m ore carbu n cles U po n i t th a n e ver w er e see n at

th e botto m o f th e l ak e w h i c h i s sa i d to be ful l o f the m
, .

H i s e y e s h ad a ri gh t m erry t w i n kl e i n th e m l i ke m oo n ,

s h i n e dan ci n g o n the w ater ; an d h is ch eek s h ad t h e rou n d

n ess an d cr i m so n gl o w o f ri pe arbu tus berr i es .

He ate , an d d r an k , an d p r aye d , an d s l e p t h at th e n !
.

He an d dr a n k , an d pr ay e d , and S l e p t a ain !

at e ,
g
 C LOU GH NA C UDDY . 233

S uc h w as th e te n o r o f h i s s i m pl e l i fe : but w h en h e pray e d
a certai n d ro w si ness w oul d co m e U p o n h i m w h ich i t m u st , ,

be co nfessed n ever o cc u rred w he n a w el l lle d black

,
-

jack stood be fore h im He n ce h i s prayers w ere sh ort
.

a n d h i s d rau ghts w ere l on g Th e w orl d l oved h i m an d

.
,

h e s aw n o good reaso n w hy h e Sh oul d n o t i n return l o ve

i ts ven i so n a n d usqu ebau gh B u t as ti m es w e nt he m u st
.
, ,

h ave bee n a pi ous m an, or el se w hat befel l h im n ever w oul d

h ave h appened .

S piri tual a ff airsfor i t w as r e spect i n g th e i m portat i o n of

a tu n of w i n e i nto the is lan d m o n astery d e m anded t h e
p resen ce o f on e o f th e brotherh ood of I n n i s fal le n at th e ab
be y o f Ir e lagh n o w cal led M u c r u s s T h e s u p eri nten d en ce
, .

o f th i s i m porta nt m atter w as co m m i tted to Father C u dd y

,
w h o f el t too dee l y i n terested i n th e futu re w el fare o f an y
p
co m m u n i ty o f w h i ch h e w as a m e m ber to n eglec t o r de ,

l ay such m ission Wi th th e m orn i n g s l i gh t h e w as see n

.

g u i d i n g h is sh allop across th e cri m so n w aters o f the l ak e

to w ar d s the pen i n su la o f M u c r u s s ; a nd h av in g m oored h is
l i ttl e bark i n safety beneath th e shel ter o f a w a v e w or n -

ro ck b e ad van ced w ith beco m i n g d i g n i ty to w ards the ah

,

bey .

Th e st i ll ness o f th e bri gh t an d bal m y h ou r w as broke n

by th e h eavy footste p s o f th e zeal o u s father A t the so u n d .

th e startl ed deer shak i n g th e d e w fro m thei r Si d es s p ru n g

, ,

U p fro m th ei r lai r and as they b o u n ded O
'

,
H ah ! ex
clai m ed C u d dy w hat a n o b le h a u nch goes tli e r e l h o w
,

d el ic io u s i t w o u l d l ook s m ok i n g U p o n a g ood l y p latter !
A s h e proceeded th e m ou ntai n b e e h u m m e d h i s t u ne o f
,
-

gl ad ness aro u n d the h ol y m an save w hen b e b u rie d i n t he

,

foxgl o ve he ll o r revel l i n g U p o n a fragra nt b u n ch o f thy m e ;

,

a n d eve n the n the l ittl e vo ice m u r m u red o u t h app i ness i n

lo w an d broke n to nes o f vol u p t u o u s del i gh t Father C u d .

d y deri ved n o s m al l co m f ort fro m the sou nd f o r i t pre ,

s e ged a good meth egl i n season an d m ethe gl i n h e regar d e d

, ,

i f w el l m an u fact u re d to b e no b ad l i q u or p artic u larly w h e n

, ,

there w as n o sti n t O f u sq u eba u gh i n the b re w i n g .

A rri ved w ith i n the a b b ey garth he w as rece i ved w i t h ,

d ue res p ect by the breth re n o f Ir e lagh an d arrange m ents ,

for t h e e m barkatio n o f th e w i ne w ere co m pleted to h is e n

234

t i r e s at i s fact i o n
pr i or : grac e b e o n y o u

o f crossi n g th e w ater
.

W
C L O U GH

.
.

,
,

al w ays m akes m e h u n gry an d I am certa i n I h ave n o t

w al ked l ess th an h al f a m i le th i s m orn i n g t o s a
NA

G race before m eat t h en s a i d C u ddy , f o r al o n g w al k

,

y n ot
C UD DY
e l c o me , Fath e r C u d d y , s a i d the

h i

A pasty of c h o i ce av ou r fel t t h e trut h o f t h i s assert i o n ,

as regarded Fath er C ud d y s appetite A fter suc h co n sol i n g

.
n g
.

repast i t w oul d h ave been a reecti o n o n m o n ast i c h osp i

,

tal ity to depart w th o u t partak i n g o f th e grace c u p ; m ore -

o ve r Father C ud d y h ad a parti cu l ar respect f o r th e an ti q u i ty

,

o f th at c u sto m . H e l iked th e taste o f th e grace cup w ell : -

h e tried a nother it w as n o l ess e xcel le n t ; an d w h e n h e

,

h ad s w al l o w ed th e th ir d h e fou n d h is h e ar t expa nd an d ,

p u t f orth i ts bres w i l l i n g to e m brace al l m a nki n d S u rel y,

, .

then , t h ere i s C hr i sti a n l ove a n d c h ari ty i n w i n e !

I sai d h e su n g a goo d son g N e w t h ou gh psal m s ar e .

good so n gs, an d i n accord an ce w i t h h i s vocati o n , I d i d n o t

m ea n t o i m p ly th at h e w as a m ere psal m s i n ger I t w as -
.

w el l k n o w n to th e bret h re n th at w h erever F ath er C u dd y

,

w as m i rth a n d m e lod y w ere w i t h h im ; m i rth i n h i s e y e

,

a n d m el ody o n h i s ton gue ; an d t h ese fro m exper i en ce , ar e ,

e qu al ly w ell k n o w n t o be th irsty co mm od i t i es ; b u t h e took

good care n ever to let th e m r u n d ry T o pl ease th e b r o .

t he r h o o d w h ose ex celle n t w i n e pl eased h i m , h e s u n g an d

, ,

as in vin o aer itas, h is son g w i l l w el l b e co m e t hi s ver i tabl e

h i story .

"i
CA N TA T M ON A C H U S .

l o

H o c e rat in v e ti s ,
E t b e n e S Ui c e r it t o ti s
Si d u m po r to s ae c u l um
B o n u m e s s e t u b i que je n tac ul um!
E t S i p ar vis
In ar vi s
N ullam
In ve n e ro p u ll am,
O vu m g e n tilite r p r ae b e b it r e ce n s
P u e lla de c e n s .

M anu n e c d ab i s i nvite .

F l o s v alliu m har um,

D e c u s p u e llaru m,
C
an di da M argue rite !
 C LO U GH NA C U DDY 2 35

W
.

T H E E R I A R S SO N G it .

I.
My vo w s I c an n e ve r i ll ,
U n ti l
1 have b r e ak fas te d , o n e w ay o r o t h e r;
A n d I f r e e ly p ro t e s t ,
T hat I n e v e r c an r e s t
Ti l l I b o r r o w o r b e g

gg, An e
l I c
U n e s s c an o m e at t he o u d he n , its mo he r l t .

B u t M ag g , my d e ar , y

il y
h e o u re he r e ,
I
d o n t fe ar

t t t v
T o w an e gg s h a h a e j u s b e e n a d n e w ; t l i ly
F o r o c h ! o u r e a p e ar

y l
Of a g r , il
y c ll
A n d o u r e a e d s o i n L ati n mo s

ru t t ly .

II .

M e h o r a j u c un da coe n ae
D i le c t at b e n e ,
i
E t r e r u m S n e d ub io g r an diu m
M ax im a e s t p r an diu m :
Se d m h r e de , i ic
In h i c ae de ,
lt
M u o m ag s g au de o , i
C u m g allic an t u m au d o , i
In S nu t u o i
V i d e n s o v a d uo .

t ct

W
O h s e m p e r m e r a e s it a!
P an ib u s d e h o r d e o fa s , cti
Et o p a a s ,c i l cti
C
an d d a M arg ar a!
i . it
I I.

T he re i s mo s t t o m y m i n d s o me thi ng that is s ti ll uppe r

Than s u pp e r ,

T ho ugh it mus t b e admitte d I f e e l n o w ay t h i nn e r

A fte r d i n n e r :
B u t s o o n as I he ar the c o c k c r o w
In t he m o r n in g ,
T hat e gg s yo u are b r i n g i n g f ull s ur e ly I k n o w ,

By t hat w ar n i ng ,
h il e yo u r b utte r mil k he lps m e t o o at
D o w n m y t hr o at
Tho s e s w e e t c ak e s made o f o at .

I do n t e n vy an e arl ,

S w e e t gi r l ,
O c h, t is y o u ar e a b e auti ful pe arl

.
236 C L OU G H NA C UD DY .

S u c h w as h is son g F ath er C ud d y s m acked h i s l i p s at

.

t h e recol lecti o n o f M argery s d el i ci o u s fr ied eg g s w h i c h

,

al w ays i m parted a p ec u li ar r el ish to h i s l iq u o r The very .

i d ea provoked C u d dy to raise th e c u p to h is m o u th , a n d
w i th o n e h e arty p u l l th ereat h e n i sh ed i ts c o n te nts .

T h i s i s a nd e ver w as a cen sori o u s w orld o f te n c o n s tr u

, ,

i n g w h at is o nly a fai r all o w an ce i n to a n ex cess : b u t I scorn

to recko n Up a ny m a n s d ri n k l i ke an u n rele n ti n g h ost ;

,

th erefore I can n ot tel l h o w m an y bri m m i n g d r a u ghts o f

,

w i ne be d ecked w i th t h e v e n e r a b le B e a d Father C u dd y
, ,

e m p tied i n to h i s so ul case , s o h e gu rati vely ter m ed th e
-

bo d y.

H is res p ect for th e good ly co m pany o f th e m o n ks o f Ire

l agh detai ned h i m u n ti l thei r a djo u rn m e n t to ve s p ers w h en ,

h e s e t for w ar d o n h i s retu rn to In ni s falle n Wheth er h i s .

m i n d w as occ u p ied i n p h ilO SO p h ic co n te m p lati o n o r w ra p p ed

i n pi ous m usi n gs I ca n n ot d eclare bu t the h o nest f ather
, ,

w a n dered o n i n a d i ff ere n t d i recti o n f ro m tha t i n w h ich h i s

Sh all op l ay F ar be i t fro m m e to i n s i n u ate th at th e goo d

.

l iq u o r w h i c h h e h ad s o co m m end ed ca u sed hi m to f or get

,

h is road o r th at h is track w as i rreg u l ar and u nstead y O h

, .

n o ! h e carried h is d ri n k bravely as b eca m e a d ecen t m an ,

a n d a good C hri stia n ; yet so m eh o w h e th o u gh t he cou l d ,

d isti n gu i sh t w o m oo n s
B less m y eyes sai d Fath er
.
,

C ud d y e very th i n g s ch a ngi n g
,
i n o w a !
days the very - -

stars are n o t i n t he sa m e pl aces th ey u sed to be ; I th i n k

C amce achta (th e Pl o u gh ) i s d ri vi n g o n at a rate I never
s aw i t before t o n i gh t ; b u t I S U o s e the d r iver i s dru n k
pp
-
,

f o r th ere are bl ackg u ard s every w here .

Cu d d y h ad scarcely u ttere d th ese w ord s w h e n h e s aw , ,

o r f an c ied he s aw th e for m o f a you n g w o m an w h o h ol d

, , ,

i n g u p a bottl e b e cko ned h im to w ard s h er Th e n i g h t

, .

w as ex tre m ely beauti f u l a n d th e w h ite d ress O f th e girl

,

oate d grace f u lly i n th e m oo n l i gh t as w i th gay s te p S h e ,

tri p p ed o n b e fo r e t h e w orthy father arc h ly l oo ki n g bac k

.
,

U po n h i m o ver h er S h oul der .

A h M argery m erry M argery !

, ,

cried C u ddy , y o u
te m pti n g l i ttle rogue !
F l o s v alliu m har u m ,
D e c u s p ue llar u m ,
C an d ida M ar gar it a

.
 C L UGH O NA C U DDY . 237

I s e e y o u I s e e y o u an d t h e bottl e ! le t me bu t catc h
,

o u cand ida M argari ta !

y , an d o n h e fol l o w e d pan ti n g a n d ,

s m i l i n g after th is al lu ri n g appar i tio n

, .

A t l e ngth h is feet gre w w eary an d hi s breath f ailed , ,

w h i ch obl iged h i m to gi ve Up the ch ase ; yet such w as h is

pi ety th at u n w il li n g t o rest i n any atti tude b u t th at o f

,

p rayer d o w n dro p ped Fath er C u dd y o n h i s kn ees S l eep

, .
,

as u sual , stol e u po n h is d evoti ons ; a n d th e m orn i n g w as far

ad van ced w h e n h e a w oke fro m drea m s i n w h i ch table s
, ,

groaned beneath th ei r le ad o f V i an ds an d w i n e pou red i t ,

sel f free an d Sparkl i n g as th e m ou n tai n Spr i n g .

R u bb i n g h i s eyes he l ooked abou t h i m, an d t h e m ore he

,

l ook ed the m ore h e w o ndered at th e al terat i o n w h i c h ap

e ar e d i n th e face o f t h e cou ntry Bless m sou l a d
p y .n

body ! sai d th e gp o d fathe r I s aw th e stars c han gin g las t
,

n i ght b u t here i s a change !
, D oubti n g h i s senses h e ,

l ooked aga i n Th e h i l l s bore th e sa m e m ajesti c outl i n e as

.

o n the p reced i n g d ay an d th e lake Spread itsel f beneath h i s

,

v i e w i n th e sa m e tranq u i l bea u ty an d st u dded w ith the ,

sa m e n u m ber o f isla nd s ; b u t every s m all er f eature i n th e

l andscape w as stran gel y al tered Wh at h ad bee n n aked .

r ocks w ere n o w clothed w i th b e lly a n d arb u tus Wh ol e .

w ood s h ad d isap p eared an d w aste pl aces had beco m e c u l

,

t i v ate d e l ds ; and to c o m pl ete th e w ork o f en ch ant m e nt,

,

th e very seaso n i tsel f see m ed ch a n ged I n th e ros y d a w n .

O f a su m m er s m orn i n g h e h ad l eft the m o nastery o f In n i s

fal len an d h e n o w fel t i n every s igh t an d sou n d th e drea

,

r i n e ss o f w i nter T h e h ard gro u n d w as covered w it h

.

w i there d leaves ; i ci cles depended fro m l eaess bran ch es ;

h e heard the s w eet l o w n ote o f th e robi n w h o f a m il iarl y ,

approached h im ; an d h e f el t h is ngers n u m bed fro m t h e

n i pi n g frost Father C u ddy f ou n d i t rath er d i fcul t to
p .

accou nt fo r su ch sudde n tran s f or m atio n s an d to co n v i n ce ,

h i m sel f i t w as n ot th e i l l usi o n o f a drea m h e w as abou t

'
,

t o r is e w h e n 10 ! h e d iscovered that both h i s k n ees w ere

,

b ur i ed at l east s ix i nc hes i n th e sol i d sto ne ; for n o tw ith ,

s tand i n g al l these ch an ges , he h ad never altered h i s devou t

pos i ti on .

C uddy w as n o w w id e a w ake an d fel t, w h en h e got U p , ,

h is jo i n ts sadly cra m ped w h ic h i t w as o n l y n atura l they

,

Sh oul d be, co n s i der i n g the hard t e xtur e o f t h e sto n e , an d

238 C L OU G H NA CU DDY .

th e d epth h is k n e e s h ad su n k i n to i t B u t t h e great d i th
.

'

c u l ty w as to ex p l ai n h o w i n o n e n i gh t su mm er h ad b e , ,

c o m e w i nter w h ol e w ood s h ad bee n cu t d o w n an d w el l

, ,

gro w n trees had s p rou ted U p The m i racle n o th i n g el se .

,

co u l d h e c o n cl u de i t t o be u rged h im t o haste n h i s return ,

t o In n is falle n w h ere h e m ight learn so m e expl anatio n o f

,

t hese m arvel l ou s eve n ts .

S eei n g a boat m o ored w i th i n reach o f th e sh ore b e d e ,

l ayed n ot i n t he m idst o f s u c h w o n ders t o seek h i s o w n

, ,

bark b u t seizi n g th e e ar s p u l led sto u tly to w ard s th e

, , ,

i sla n d ; a n d h ere n e w w o n ders a w ai ted h i m .

Father C u d d y w add led as fast as cra m p e d l i m b s coul d ,

carry h is rot u n d corpor ation to th e gate o f th e m o nastery , ,

w h e re he l o u d ly d e m a n d ed a d m ittan ce .

! w he n ce c o m e y ou m aster m o nk an d w h at s
H o ll oa
, ,

y ou r b u s in e s S? de m an ded a stra n ger who O ccu pied the

porte r s pl ace .

B usi n ess m y b u si ness ! re peated t h e con fo u n ded

C ud dy h d t k n o m ? H t h w ine

w
y o y o u n o w e a s e
~

, ,

arri ved safel y ?

Hen ce fell o w ! sai d th e p orter s represe n tat i ve i n a

,

,

su rly ton e ; n o r t h i n k to i m p ose o n m e w ith y ou r m on k

i s h tales
.

Fel l o w ! excl ai m ed th e fat h er : m ercy U po n U S t h at ,

I Sh o u l d be s o Sp oke n t o at th e gate o f m y o w n h o u se !

S cou n drel ! cried C u ddy rai si n g h i s vo ice , d o y o u no t ,

se e m
y g ar b m y h o l y garb ?

A
y fell
, o w

re p l ied h e
, o f th e k eys 4 t h e garb o f

l az i ness a n d l th y debau ch ery w h ic h h as been expel l ed ,

u t th e s e w all s K n o w y o u n o t i d l e k na ve o f th e
.
, ,
s u pp re ssio n o f th is nest o f supersti t i on a n d th at th e abbey ,

l an d s a nd possessio n s w er e granted i n A u gust last to M aster

Rober t Col l a m by o u r Lady E li zabeth so verei gn q u ee n
, ,

o f E n l an d a nd
g p arago
,
n o f a l l b e au ty w ho m God pre

s erve !

Q u ee n o f E n gl an d ! sa i d C u dd y ; th ere n ever w as a
so verei gn quee n o f E n gl an d th is is b u t a p i ece w i th t h e

r est . I s aw h o w i t w as go i n g w ith th e stars l ast n i gh t

th e w orl d s turned u psid e d o w n B u t s u rely th i s is I n n i s .

f al l e n i s l an d an d I am th e Father C u ddy w h o yesterd ay

,
 CL OUG H N A C U DDY . 239

m orn i n g went o ver to th e abbe y o f Ire lagh respect i n g th e ,

tu n o f w i ne D o y o u n ot k n o w m e n e w ?
.

K no w y o u h o w sh o u l d I k n o w y o u ?
s aid th e
kee p er o f th e ab be y Yet tr u e i t i s that I h ave h eard
.
, ,

m y gra n d m oth er w h ose m oth er re m e m b ere d th e m an

, ,
o ften Sp e ak o f th e fat F ather C u d d y o f I n n is f alle n w ho ,

m a d e a p rofa n e an d go d le s s b al la d i n p raise o f f resh egg s

W
,

o f w h i ch he an d h is v ile cre w k ne w m ore tha n they d id

o f th e w or d o f G od ; an d w h o b e i n g d r u n k i t i s said
, , ,
t u m bl ed i n to the l a k e o n e n i g ht an d w as d ro w ne d ; b u t
,

th at m u st h ave been a h u nd re d ay m ore tha n a h u ndred , ,

y e a rs si n ce .

T w as I w h o co m p osed th at s on g i n p r ai se o f M argery s

f resh e g gs w h ich i s n o p ro fane an d go d less b al la d n o oth er

,

Father C u d d y than m ysel f eve r b elon ge d to In n is falle n ,

earnestl y exclai m ed th e h ol y m an
A h u n d red years !
.

w hat w as y o u r reat gran other s na e ?
g d m -
m
w M argaret u i M ah o ny
S h e w a a M ah o n y o f D u nl o
s
;
an d m y gr ahd m o t h e r
h at ! m erry M argery o f D u n lo w you r great gran d -

m oth er ! sh o u ted C u d d y
S t B ra n d o n h el
. .
p m e ! th e
w i cked w en ch w ith that te m p ti n g bottl e ! w hy t w as

o n ly last n i ght a h u n d red y ears y o u r g reat gran d

, ,
-

m other sai d y o u PThere h as i n d ee d been a strange torpor

, , ,

over m e ; I m u st have sl e p t al l th i s ti m e !
That Father C u d d y h ad d o n e so I th i nk i s s u fcientl y ,

proved by th e ch an ges w h ich occurred d u ri ng h is n ap .

A re f or m atio n an d a seri o u s o n e i t w as f o r h i m h ad t ake n

, ,

p l ace . Pretty M argery s fresh e gg s

w ere n o l on er to be
g
h ad i n In n is falle n ; a nd w ith a heart as h eavy as h is f oot
ste ps the w orthy m an d irected h i s co u rse to w ar d s D i n gl e
, ,

w h ere h e e m bar k ed i n a vessel o n th e oi n t o f sai l in f or

p g
M ala ga Th e r ich w i n e o f that pl ace had o f O ld i m pressed
.

h i m w ith a h i g h res p ect f o r its m o nasti c e s tabl i sh m e nts ,

i n o n e o f w h i ch h e q u ietly w ore o u t t he re m a i n d er o f h i s
da y s.

Th e sto ne i m p ressed w i th th e m ark o f Father C u d d y s
k n e es m ay be seen to th is day S hou l d any i n c r e d u l o u
.

persons dou bt m y story I request the m to go to K i l larney ,

w h ere C l o u gh n a Cu d d y Se i s th e ston e cal led re m ai n s

,

i n Lord K e n m are s park , a n i ii d iSp u tab le ev i de nce of t h e

24 0 THE G IA N T S
S T A I RS .

fac t . S p i lla ne , the b u gl e m an , w i l l b e abl e to po i n t i t

-
o ut

to t h e m as ,
h e d i d s o to m e ; an d her e i s m y Sk e tc h by
w h i c h t h ey m ay i de n t i fy it .

T HE G IANT S S TA IR S

.

XL .

ON t h e road bet w ee n Passage an d C ork th ere i s a n o l d

m an sio n cal led R o n ay n e s C ou rt It m ay be eas i l y k no w n

.

f ro m the stack o f c h i m n e y s an d th e g able e n d s w h ich are ,

t o b e seen l ook at i t w h i ch w ay y o u w i l l
,
Here i t w as .

t h at M au ri ce Ro na y n e an d h is w i fe M argare t G o ul d ke p t
h ou se as m ay be learned to th is d a y fro m th e great o ld
,

ch i m ney piece o n w h i ch i s carved th ei r ar m s

-
,
They .

w ere a m i gh ty w orth y C ou l e a n d had b u t o n e s o n w h o

p , ,

w as cal led P h i l i p after n o l ess a perso n th a n t he k i n g o f

,

S pai n .

I m m ed iatel y o n h i s s m el l i n g th e col d a i r o f th i s w orl d

t h e c h i l d s n eezed ; a n d i t w as n at u ral ly take n to be a goo d
S i gn o f h av i n g a cl ear head ; b u t th e su bsequ e nt ra p i d ity o f
h is learn i n g w as truly a m azi n g ; f o r o n th e very rst d ay a
pr im er w as pu t i nto h i s h and h e tore o u t th e A B C pa g e , , ,

an d d estroyed i t as a th i n g qu i te be neath h i s n oti ce

,
No .

w o n der the n th at both fath er a nd m oth er w ere pro u d o f

the i r h e i r w h o gav e su c h i n d i sputabl e proofs o f ge n i us o r

, , ,

as they cal l i t i n th at part o f the w orl d g e nu s
,
.

O n e m or n i n g h o w e ver M aster Ph il w h o w as t h e n ju st
, , ,

s e ve n years O l d w as m i ss i n g an d n o o n e cou ld tel l w hat

, ,
 T HE G IAN T
s S T A IR S
. 24 1

h ad b e co m e o f h im : servants w ere sen t i n all d i r e cti o ns to

seek h im , o n h orse b ack an d o n f oot ; bu t th ey retu rne d
w i th out an y tid i n gs o f th e boy w h ose d isappearan ce alto ,

gether w as m ost u naccou ntabl e A large re w ard w as o f .

f e r e d , b u t i t produ ced the m n o i ntel l igen ce an d years rol le d ,

a w ay w i thou t M r an d M r s Ron ayn e h av i n g obtai ned an y

. .

satis f actory accou n t o f th e f ate o f th ei r l ost ch il d .

Th ere l i ved at th i s ti m e n ear C ar i galin e o n e Rober t

, , ,
Kel ly a bl acks m i th by trade H e w as w h at i s ter m ed a
,
.

h an d y m an an d h is ab i l iti es w ere hel d i n m u ch esti m ati o n

,

by th e l ad s an d th e l asses o f th e n eigh bourh ood : f o r i n de ,

pen de nt o f sh oei n g h orses w h i c h h e d id to great per f ection ,

an d m ak i n g pl ou gh i ron s, b e i nter p reted drea m s f o r th e
-

you n g w o m e n su n g A rth ur O B r ad le y at thei r w ed d i n gs ,

,

an d w as s o good n atured a fel lo w at a chri ste n i n g th at h e

-
,
w as gossi p to h al f th e co u ntry rou nd .

N o w i t h a p p e ned th at Ro b i n h ad a d rea m h i m sel f an d ,

y ou n g Ph i l i p Ro n a y n e ap p eared to h i m i n i t at th e d ea d
h ou r o f th e n i gh t Rob i n thou gh t h e s aw th e b o y m o u nte d
.

U po n a beauti fu l w h i te h orse a n d th at h e tol d h i m h o w h e

,

w as m a d e a pa g e to th e gi ant M aho n M ac M ah o n w h o h ad ,

carried h i m o ff an d w h o hel d h i s co urt i n th e h ard h ear t

,

o f th e ro ck . Th e seve n years m y ti m e o f servi ce are ,

cl ean o u t Rob i n sai d h e
, , an d i f y o u rel ease m e th i s
,

n i ght I w i l l be th e m ak i n g o f y ou for ever a f ter
,
A n d h o w w i l l I k n o w sai d Rob i n cu n n i n g e n ou gh
.

, ,

eve n i n h i s Sl eep b u t th is i s al l a drea m ?
Take th at sai d th e b oy
, , for a t o k e n an d at th e
w ord th e w h ite h orse stru ck o u t w ith o n e o f h i s h i n d l egs ,

an d gave poor Rob i n s u ch a k i ck i n th e foreh ead th a t ,

th i nk i n g h e w as a dead m an h e roare d as l o u d as h e c du ld
,

after h i s brai n s a n d w oke u p cal l i n g a th ous an d m u rders

, .

He fo u n d h i m sel f i n bed b u t h e h ad the m ark o f th e bl o w

, ,

t h e regul ar p ri n t o f a h orse Sh oe U po n h i s foreh ead as red

-

as bl ood ; a n d Rob i n Kel ly , w h o n ever before fou n d h i m self

p uzzled at th e d rea m o f any oth er person , d i d n ot k n o w
W h at to th i n k o f h i s o w n .

Rob i n w as w el l acqua i n ted w i th th e Giant s S tairs as

, ,

i ndeed w h o i s n o t t h at k n o w s the h arbour ?

, They cons i st
o f great m asses o f rock , w h i c h , p i led o n e ab ove an ot h er ,

r i s e l ike a i gh t o f Steps , fr o m v e ry d e ep w at e r aga i n st th e

,
21
24 2 TH E GI AN T S
S TA I R S .

b ol d cl i ff o f Car r igm ah o n N o r are th e y badl y s u i te d fo r

.

s tairs t o th ose w h o h ave l egs o f s u fc i e n t l e n gt h to str i d e

o ver a m oderate sized h ouse o r t o e nabl e the m to clear th e

-
,

space o f a m i le i n a h op step an d j u m p B o th th ese fea ts

, , .

th e gi an t M ac M ah o n w as sai d to h ave perfor m ed i n t h e

d ays o f F in n ian gl ory ; a n d th e co m m o n trad iti o n of th e
cou n try pl aced h i s d w el l i n g w i th i n th e c liff u p w h ose Si d e
th e stairs l ed .

S uc h w as th e i m p ressi o n w h i c h the d rea m m ad e o n R o

b i n t h at h e d ete r m i ned to p u t its tru th to t h e test I t o c
, .

curred to him h o w ever before setti n g o u t o n th i s ad v e n

, ,

tu re th at a pl oug h i ro n m ay be n o bad co m pan i o n , as fro m

,
-
,

experien ce , h e k n e w i t w as a n ex cell en t k n ock d o w n ar -

u m e n t h av i n g o n m ore occasi o n s th an o n e settled a l i t t l e

g , , ,

d isagree m en t very q u ietl y : SO putti n g o n e o n h i s Sh o u l der,

,

o ff h e m arched i n th e cool o f th e e ven i n g th rou gh G lau n a

T h o w k (th e Ha w k s G len ) t o M o n k s t o w n

Here a n o ld j
.

goss i p o f his (T o m C lan cey by n a m e ) l i ved w h o o n h ear , ,

-s

i n g R ob i n s d rea m pro m i sed h i m th e use o f h i s Sk i ff an d

, ,

m oreo ver o ff ered t o assi st i n ro w i n g i t t o th e G ian t s S ta i rs

.

A f ter a supper w h i c h w as o f th e best they e m barked , .

I t w as a beauti ful sti l l n i ght a n d th e l i ttle boat gl i ded ,

s w i ftly al o n g .Th e regu lar d ip o f th e e ar s, th e d i stan t

s o n g o f th e sa i lor an d so m et i m es t h e v oi ce o f a bel ate d
,

travel ler at the ferry o f Carri gal oe , al o ne broke th e q u i e t

n es s o f th e l an d a n d s e a a n d s k Th e ti de w as i n thei r
y .

f avou r, a n d i n a fe w m i n utes Ro b i n a n d h i s gossip reste d

o n th ei r e ars i n t h e dark sh ad o w o f t h e G iant s S tairs

.

Robi n l ooked anx i o usl y for th e e n t ra n c e to th e G ian t s

P alace w h i ch i t w as said , m ay be fou n d by any o n e se e k

'
, ,

i n g i t at m i d n i gh t ; bu t n o su ch e ntra nce co u l d h e s e e .

H i s i m pat i e n ce had h urried h im t h e re before that ti m e an d ,

af ter w ai ti n g a co ns i derabl e space i n a state o f Suspen se n o t

to be descri b ed Rob i n w ith pu re vexati o n c o u ld n o t h el p
, , ,

ex clai m i n g to h is c o m p a n i on , Tis a pa i r of fo ols w e are ,

T o m C la ncey , for co m i n g h er e at al l o n th e stre n gt h o f a

d rea m .

A n d w h ose d o i n g i s i t sa i d T o m , b u t y our o w n ?
,

A t t he m o m e n t h e s p oke th ey perce i ved a fa i n t gl i m

m eri n g l i g h t to pr o ceed fr o m th e cl i ff w h i ch grad ually ln ,

creased u nt i l a p o r c h b ig e no ug h fo r a k i n g s pal ac e u n
 TH E GI ANT S S TA IR S

. 24 3

f ol ded i tsel f al m ost o n a l evel w i th t h e w ater T h ey pu l l ed .

th e ski ff d irectl y to w ards th e Ope n i n g and Robi n Kel l y , ,

seizi n g h is plo ug h i ro n bol d ly en tered w ith a stron g b an d

-
,

an d a s to u t heart W il d an d stran ge w as that entran ce ;

.

the w h ol e o f w h i c h ap p eared for m ed o f gri m a n d grotesqu e

faces bl end i n g SO stra n gely eac h w i th the oth er th at i t w as
,

i m p ossi bl e to den e any : th e ch i n o f o n e f or m e d th e n o se o f

an oth er : w h at a p p eare d to be a xed an d stern eye i f d w el t ,

U p o n c han ged to a gap i n g m o u th

, ; an d th e l i nes o f th e l o f ty
fore head gre w i n to a m ajesti c an d o w i n g beard Th e .

m ore Robi n al lo w ed h i m sel f to c on te m pl ate th e f or m s

aro u nd hi m th e m ore terri c t hey beca m e ; an d th e ston y
,

expressio n o f th i s cro w d o f faces assu m ed a sa vage feroci ty

as h is i m a g i nati o n co n verted feature a f ter feature i n to a
d i ff eren t Shape an d character Losi n g th e t w i l igh t i n
.

w h i ch these i nde n ite for m s w ere V isi bl e b e ad van ced ,

t h rou g h a dark an d dev i o u s passage w h i lst a d eep an d ,

r u m bl i n g n o ise so u nded as i f th e roc k w as abou t t o cl ose

U po n hi m an d s w al l o w h i m Up al i ve fo r ever N e w , i n .

d eed poor R o b i n f el t a f raid

, .

Ro b i n Ro b i n sai d b e i f y o u w ere a f ool for co m i n g
, ,

,

h ere w h at i n the n a m e o f f ort u n e are y o u n e w ?
, B u t as ,

before h e had scarcely spoken w h en h e s aw a s m al l l i gh t

, ,

t w i n kl i n g th rough the dark ness o f the d istan ce l ike a star ,

i n th e m i d n i gh t s k y T o retreat w as o u t o f th e questi o n ;
.

f o r s o m any tu rn i n gs an d w i n d i n gs w ere i n th e p assage,

th at h e co nsidered h e had b u t l i ttle chance o f m ak i n g h i s
w ay back . He there fore procee de d to w ards th e b it o f l igh t ,

an d c a m e at last i nto a Sp ac i ous c h a m ber fro m t h e roof ,

o f w h i ch h u n g th e sol itary la m p that h ad g u ided h im .

E m ergi n g fro m s u ch p rofou n d gl oo m t h e si n gl e la m p ,

a ff orded Rob i n abu ndan t l i gh t to d iscover several gi ganti c

g u res seated rou nd a m assi ve stone table as if i n seri ou s
d el i berati on b u t n o w ord d istu rbed th e b reathless sile n ce
,

w h i ch preva iled A t the head o f th is tabl e s at M ah o n M ac

.

M ah o n h i m sel f w h ose m ajesti c beard had taken root an d

, ,

i n th e cou rse o f ages gro w n i nto th e sto ne Slab He w as .

th e rst w h o p ercei ved Rob i n ; an d i nstantly starti n g U p ,

dre w h i s l on g beard fro m o u t th e h u ge l u m p o f rock i n

s uch h aste an d w i th s o s udden a jerk , th at i t w as s h attere d

i nt o a t h o u sa n d p i e ces .
24 4 T HE GI A N T S S T A I RS

.

W h a t s e ek y o u ? h e d e m an d e d i n a V o i ce o f th u n de r

.

I co m e a n s w ered Rob i n , w i t h as m u c h b ol d ness as h e
,

c ou l d pu t o n for h i s h eart w as al m ost fai n ti n g w i th i n h i m

a I co m e , sai d h e to cl a i m P h i l i p Ro n ay n e , w h os e
,

t i m e o f serv i ce is o u t t h i s n i gh t .

A nd
w h o sen t y o u h ere ? sa i d t h e g i an t .

T w as o f m y o w n accord 1 ca m e , s ai d Robi n .

Th en y o u m u st S i n gl e h im o u t fro m a m o n g m y pages ,

s a i d t h e gia n t ; a n d i f y o u x o n t he w r o n g o n e you r l if e a

i s th e forfei t Fol l o w m e
. He l ed Rob i n i n to a h al l o f
.

V ast exten t an d ll ed w i th l i gh ts ; al o n g ei t her s i d e o f w h i c h

w ere ro w s o f beauti fu l c h i ldre n all ap are n tly s e ve n year s
p
o l d an d n o n e beyo n d t h at a e dressed i n green an d every
, g , ,
o n e ex actl y d ressed al i ke .

Here sai d M ah o n
,

y o u,
are free t o tak e P h i l ip R o n

na ne
y i f y
, o u w i l l ; bu t ,
re m e m be r I g i ve b ut o n e c
,
h oi ce .

Rob i n w as sad ly perpl exed ; f o r th ere w ere h u n dr e d s

U po n h u n dreds o f ch i ld re n ; an d h e h ad n o V ery clear r e
col l ecti on o f th e b oy h e sough t B u t h e w al ked al o n g th e .

h al l by th e s id e o f M ah on as i f n oth i n g w as t h e m att e r
, , ,

al th ou gh h is great i ro n d ress cl a n ked f earfu l ly at every

s tep sou nd i n

, g l ou der th a n Robi n s o w n sled ge batteri n g

o n h is anvil .

T h ey h ad n earl y r eac h ed th e e n d o f t h e h al l w i t h ou t
Spe a k i n g w h e n Robi n s e e i ng that th e o nl y m ea n s h e h ad
, ,

w as t o m ak e fr i en ds w i th th e giant deter m i ned t o try w h at ,

e e c t a f e w soft w ords m i gh t h ave U po n him .

Ti s a n e w h ol eso m e a p peara n ce th e poor ch i l dre n

c arry , re m arked Rob i n al th ou gh th ey h av e been h ere

,

s o l on g sh u t o u t fro m the fresh ai r an d the b lessed l i g h t o f

h eave n Ti s te n derl y yo u r h o no u r m ust h ave r ea r e d

.

t he m !

Ay sa ,
i d th e g i ant t h at i s tru e f o r y o u ; s o gi ve m e
,

y ou r h a nd ; f o r y o u are ,
I bel i eve ,
a V ery h o nest fel lo w f o r

a black s m i th .

R ob i n at th e rst l oo k d i d n o t m u c h l i k e t h e h u ge siz e
o f th e h and an d th erefore pres e nted h i s pl ou gh iron w h i c h
,
-
,

t h e g i a n t seizi n g t w isted i n h i s grasp rou n d a nd rou n d

,

aga i n as i f i t h ad bee n a potato stal k ; o n seei n g th i s all -

t h e c h i l dre n s e t Up a s h o u t o f l augh ter I n th e m i dst o f.

t h e i r m i r t h R o b i n t h o u g h t he h e ar d h is n ame c al l e d ; an d,
 GI A N T S S T A I RS 24 3

T HE .

al l c ar a n d eye h e pu t h is h an d o n th e b oy w h o h e fan cie d

,

h ad Spok en cry i n g ou t at th e sa m e t im e Let m e l i ve o r

, ,

d i e f o r i t bu t th is is you n g Ph i l Ron ayne
, .

It i s Ph il i p Ro nayne h appy P h il i p Ro na y n e sai d

,

h is you n g co m pan i o ns ; a nd i n a n i nstan t th e h al l beca m e

dark Crash i n g n oises w ere h eard a nd all w as i n stran ge
.
, .

con f u si on : b ut Rob i n h el d f ast h i s p riz e an d fou nd h i m sel f ,

ly i n g i n the gray d a w n o f th e m orn i ng at the h ead o f th e

G ian t s S tairs w ith th e boy clas p ed i n h is ar m s

, .

Robi n had pl en ty o f gossi p s to s p read th e stor y o f h is

w o n derfu l adven ture Passage M o nksto w n R i n gask i d d y , , ,

S ea m o u nt Carrigal i n e th e w h ol e baro ny o f K e r r i c u r r ihy

,

ru n g w i th i t .

A r e y o u qu ite sure Robi n i t i s you n g Ph i l Ro nay n e

, , ,

yo u have brough t back w ith y ou ? w as the regular q u es
t i on ; for al th o u gh the boy h ad bee n seve n years a w ay h is ,

appeara nce n o w w as j ust th e sa m e as o n th e d ay h e w as

m i ssed . He h ad n ei ther gro w n taller n or ol der i n l ook ,

an d h e S p oke o f th i n gs w h i ch h ad ha pp ened be fore h e w as

carr ied o ff as o n e a w ake ned fro m sleep o r as i f they h ad ,

o cc urred yesterday .

A m I sure ? Well th at s a queer qu esti on
,
w as ,

Rob i n s re p l y ; seei n g th e boy h as th e bl u e eyes o f th e

m other w ith the foxy h ai r o f the f ather to s ay n oth i n g of

, ,

th e p ur ly w art o n th e ri gh t side o f h is l ittl e n ose .

H o w ever Rob i n K el ly m ay h ave been questi o ned th e ,

w orthy C o upl e of R o n ay n e s co u rt d o u bted n ot that h e w as

th e d el i verer o f t h ei r ch i l d fro m th e p o w er of th e gia n t

M ac M ah on ; an d th e re w ard th ey besto w ed U p o n h i m
eq ual led thei r gratitud e .

Ph i l i p Ronay ne l i ved to be an o ld m an ; an d h e w as r e
m arkable to th e day o f h is death for h i s ski l l i n w ork i n g
b rass a n d i ro n w h i c h i t w as bel ieved h e h ad learned d u ri n g
,

h i s seve n years appre nti cesh ip to th e gian t M ah o n M ac

\
I Iali o n .
 A nd ne w , fare w e ll ! i ry d re am is o e r ;
t he fa

The tal e s my i n fan cy had l o ve d t o he ar ,

Li k e b li s s fu l v i s i o n s fade an d d i s appe ar
.

Su c h t al e s M o m o n ia s p e as an t t e ll s n o mo r e !

V an is h d ar e M E R M A I D S f r o m t he S e a b e at S ho re ;

Che c k d is t he H E A D L E S S H O R S E M A N S s tr an ge c are e r ;

F I R D A R R I G S vo ic e n o l o n g e r mo c k s t he e ar

,

N o r R O C K S b e ar w o n dr o u s i m p r i n ts as o f yo r e !
S u c h is t he m ar c h o f m in d

. B ut did t h e f ay s
(C r e at u r e s o f w h i m t he g o s s ame rs o f w ill )
In I r e l an d w o r k s uc h s o rr o w an d s u c h ill
A s s t o r m i e r s p i r it s o f o u r m o de r n days !

O h l an d b e l o ve d ! n o an g ry v o ic e I r ai s e :

My c o ns t ant praye r may p e ace b e w ith the e s till !
 A P P E N D IX .

W
L E TT E R FR O M S IR W A LT E R O TT T O TH E
SC A UT HO R OF TH E I R IS H
F A IRY LE G E N D S .

W
S ir ,
I H A V E b e e n o b l ige d b y the c o u r te sy w hich s e n t m e yo ur ve ry in
t e r e s t in g w o r k o n I r i s h s u p e r s titi o n s an d n o l e s s b y t he am us e me n t
,

w h ic h it has aff o r d e d m e b o t h fr o m t he i n t e re s t o f t he s t o r i e s an d
, ,

t h e live ly m an n e r i n w h ic h t he y ar e t o l d Y o u are t o c o n s i de r t hi s
.
,
S ir as a h i g h c o m pli me n t fr o m o n e w h o ho l ds him o n the s ubj e ct
, .
,

o f e lve s g h o s t s V i s i o n s & c n e ar ly as s t r o n g as
, , , . i lli am Chu r n e o f
Sta o r ds hir e

Wi a
ho a
e v e ry y e r c an m e n d y o u r
th t l e s b o t h o l d an d n e w
ch e e r

.

W
T he e x t r e m e S i m il ar ity o f yo ur cti o n s t o o ur s in S c o tl an d, is ve ry
s t r i k i ng. T he C l ur ic au n e (w hic h is an adm i r ab l e s ubj e ct f o r a p an .

t e mime ) is n o t k n o w n h e re I s upp o s e the S c o tti s h C he e r w as n o t

.

s uf c i e n t t o t e m pt t o t h e he ar th e i t he r h im , o r t hat S i n u l ar d e m o n
g
c al le d b y e yw o o d the B u tte r y Sp i r it, w hic h d i m i n i s he d t he p r o ts
H
o f an u n u s t l an dlo r d b ti n g u p all t h at h e c r i b b e d f o r h is t
j y e a
g u e s s .

T he b e au ti fu l s u pe r s titi o n o f t he b an s he e s e e ms i n a gr e at m e as u r e
p e c u l i ar t o I r e l an d , t h o u g h i n s o m H
e ig h l an d f am ili e s t he r e is s u c h
a s p e c t r e , p ar tic u l ar ly in t h at o f M ac L e an o f L o c hb u y ; b u t I t hi n k
I c o u l d m atc h all yo u r o th e r t al e s w ith s o me th i n g s i m i l ar .

I c an as s u r e y o u , h o w e v e r , that t he p r o gr e s s o f phil o s o phy has

n o t e ve n
y e t e n ti r e l y p u ll e d t h e o l d w o m an o u t o f o u r he ar t s ,

as
A ddis o n e x p r e s s e s it . i tc he s are s till he ld in r e as o n ab le de te s
t ati e n , alt ho u g h w e n o l o n g e r b ur n o r e ve n s c o r e ab o v e t h e b r e ath .

A S f o r t h e w at e r b u ll , t he y l i v e w ho w i ll t ak e t he i r o at hs t o h av ing
s e e n him e me r e f r o m a s m al l l ak e o n t h e b o u n d ary o f m ty
g y p pr o e r
he re , s c ar c e l arge e n o ugh t o have he l d h im , I s ho u ld t h i n k S o me
.
25 0 A PPE ND I X .

t raits in his de s c r i pti o n s e e m t o ans w e r t he hi pp o po t amus , an d t he s e

ar e al w ay s m e n ti o n e d b o t h in h ig hl an d an d l o w l an d s t o r : s tran e
y g
if w e c o u l d c o n c e i v e t he r e e x i s t e d , u n d e r a tr ad iti o n s o u n ive rs al ,
s o me s had o w y r e fe r e n c e t o t h o s e f o s s il b o n e s o f an imal s w hic h ar e
s o o f t e n f o u n d i n t h e l ak e s an d b o g s .

B u t t o l e av e an te d il u v i an s t o r i e s fo r t he fr e s he s t n e w s fr o m fairy
l an d, I c an no t r e s i s t t he te m ptati o n t o s e n d y o u an acc o u nt o f K i n g
O b e ro n s c o u rt , w hic h w as v e r i e d b e fo r e me as a m ag i s tr ate , w it h

all t he s o l e m n iti e s o f a c o u r t o f s tic e , w ith i n t h i s f o r t n i ht t

j u
g p a s .

A yo u n g s he phe r d , a l ad o f ab o u t e ig ht e e n y e ars o f ag e , w e l l b ro ug ht
u , an d o f
p g o o d c ap a city , a n d , t h a t I m ay b e p e r fe ctly acc u rate , in
t he s e r vic e o f a f r i e n d , a m o s t r e s p e ct ab l e far m e r , at O ak w o o d, o n
t h e e s t at e o f H u h S c o tt , E s
g q
.
, o fH ar d e n , m ad e o a t h a n d s ai d , t h a t
g o i n
g t o l o o k aft e r s o me s he e
p w hic h his mas t e r had d i r e cte d t o b e
p u t u p o n t u r n i s , an d
p p as s i n g i n t he g r ay o f t he mo r n i n g a s m al l .

c o ps e - w o o d adj ac e n t to t he r ive r E t te r ick , he w as s u r pr i s e d at t he

s i ht o f f o u r o r v e littl e p e r s o n a e s , ab o u t t w o f e e t o r t h i r ty i n c he s
g g
i n he ig ht , w ho w e re s e ate d u n d e r t he t r e e s , app ar e n tl y in de e p
c o n v e r s at i o n. A t t hi s s in g ul ar ap p e ar an c e he p aus e d ti ll he had r e
f r e s h e d his n o b l e c o u r ag e w ith a pr aye r an d a f e w r e c o ll e ct i o n s o f
l as t S u n day s s e r m o n , an d the n advan c e d t o t he littl e p arty B ut

.

o b s e r vi n g t h at , i n s t e ad o f d i s appe ar i n g , t he y s e e me d t o b e c o me ye t

m o r e m ag n i c e n tly d is ti n ct t han b e fo r e , an d n o w d o u b t i n g n o t h i n g ,
f r o m t he i r f o r e i g n dr e s s e s an d s pl e n d i d de c o r ati o n s , t hat t he y w e re
t he c h o ic e o r n am e n t s o f t he f ai ry c o u r t b e f ai r l y t ur n e d t ai l and
,

w e nt t o r ai s e t he w at e r , as if t he S o u t h r o n h ad m ade a r ai d

.

O th e r s c am e t o t he r e s c u e , an d y e t t he fai ry c o r t e g e aw ait e d t he ir
ar r i v al i n s till an d s il e n t d ig n ity . I w i s h I c o ul d s t o p h e r e , f o r t h e
de vil t ak e all e x pl an ati o n s , t he y s t o p d ue l s an d de s t ro y t he c r e d i t
o f ap p ar iti o n s , n e it he r all o w g ho s t s t o b e m ade i n an ho n o u r ab l e
w ay , o r t o b e b e li e ve d in (p o o r s o u l s ! ) w he n t he y r e vi s it t he gli mp s e s

o f t he m o o n .

I mu s t ho w e ve r e x plain , li k e o the r h o no urab le ge n tl e me n , e l s e

w he re . Y o u mu s t k n o w , t hat , lik e o u r n e ig hb o u r s , w e hav e a s c ho o l
o f art s f o r o u r m e c h an ic s at G a s m all m an u fact u r i n g t o w n
i n th is co u n t ry an d t hat t he t r e e o f k n o w l e dge t he r e as e l s e w h e r e
,

r o d u c e s i t s u s u al c r o p o f g o o d an d e v il T h e day b e f o r e t h i s av a
p .

t ar o f O b e ro n w as a f ai r day at S e l k i r k , an d am o n g s t o t he r p o p u l ar
.

d i v e rtis e m e n ts , w as o n e w hi c h, in f o r me r days , I w o ul d have c all e d

a p u p pe t- s h o w , an d i t s mas t e r a p u pp e t s ho w m an- . H e has p ut m e
r ig ht , ho w e v e r , b y i n f o r m i n g m e , t hat he w r ite s hi ms e l f ar t is t f r o m

V au x hall, an d th at he e x h i b it s f an t o c c in i ; c al l the m w hat yo u w ill ,

i t s e e ms the y g ave g r e at d e l i g ht t o t he u n w as he d art ic e rs o f
G F o r m e r l y t he y w o u l d h ave b e e n c o n t e n te d t o w o n de r
an d ap pl au d , b u t n o t s o w e r e t he y s ati s e d i n o u r m o de r n d ays o f
i nve s tig atio n , f o r t he y b r o k e i n t o P un c h s s an ct u ary fo r ci b ly, afte r

h e had b e e n l aid as i d e f o r t he e v e n i n g , m ad e vi o l e n t s e i z u r e o f his

e rs o n , an d c ar r i e d o ff h i m his s p o u s e , an d he av e n k n o w s w hat c ap
p ,

t ive s b e s ide s , in the i r p l ai d n o o ks , t o b e e x ami n e d at l e is ure . A ll

 A PP E ND I X . 201

thi s the y lite rall y did (fo r ci ng a d o o r t o acc o m pli s h the i r pu r p o s e )

in t he s p i r it o f s ci e n c e al o n e o r b ut s l ightly s t i mu l ate d b y t hat o f
Co o l
,

m alt w h i s ky w it h w hic h l as t w e h av e b e e n o f lat e d e l ug e d

, .

r e e cti o n c ame as t h e y r e t r e at e d b y t he b an k s o f t he E tt e r ic k ; t he y

W
m ad e t he d i s c o v e ry t hat t he y c o ul d n o m o r e m ak e P u n c h m o v e t han
Lo r d c o u l d m ak e hi m s pe ak ; an d r e c o ll e cti n g I b e li e ve t hat , ,

t he re w as s u ch a pe rs o n as t he She r i ff in t he w o r l d t he y ab an do n e d ,

t he i r p ri s o n e r s in ho pe s as t he y pre te n de d that t he y w o ul d b e fo un d
, , ,

an d re s t o r e d in s afe ty t o t he i r p r o pe r o w n e r .

It is o n ly n e c e s s ary t o add t hat t he arti t had his l o s s e s m ade g o o d

s

b y a s ub s c r i pti o n an d t he s ci e n ti c i n qu i r e r e c ap e d w it h a s m al l
, s s

n e as a w arn i ng n o t t o i n d ul g e s u c h an i r r e gul ar s p i r it o f re s e ar c h
,

in f ut u re .

A s t h i s s o me w hat t e dio u s s t o ry c o n t ai n s t he ve ry l as t n e w s f r o m
fairy l an d I ho pe y o u w il l g ive it acc e pt an c e an d b e g y o u t o b e l ie ve
, ,

me ve ry m u c h
Y o u r o b lige d an d t han k f u l s e r v an t
A L T E R SC O T T
,

27th A pr il 1 825
A B B O T SF O R D M E LR o s n
, .

.
,

TH E E N D .