Page 107 - The snake's pass

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OX KNOCKNACAR. —
" Do you think your father will let me make some
investigations here, if I get Mr. Moriarty's permission
"
also ?
" Throth, an' he will, surr—wid all the plisure in life
iv coorse," he added, with native shrewdness, " if there's
no harrum done to his land—or, if there's harrum done,
it's ped for."
" All right, Andy," said I ; " I'll be answerable for that
part of it."
We went straight away with Andy to see the elder
Sullivan. We found him in his cabin at the foot of the
hill—a hale old man of nearly eighty, with all his senses
untouched, and he was all that could be agreeable. I told
him who I was, and that I could afford to reimburse him
if any damage should be done. Dick explained to him
that, so far from doing harm, what he would do would
probably prevent the spreading of the bog, and would in
such case much enhance the value of his holding, and in
addition give him the use of a spring on his land. Accord-
ingly we went back to make further investigations. Dick
had out his note-book in an instant, and took accurate
note of everything ; he measured and probed the earth,
tapped the rocks with the little geological hammer which
he always carried, and finally set himself down to make
an accurate map of the locality, I acting as his assistant
in the measurements. Andy left us for a while, but
presently appeared, hot and flushed. As he approached,
Dick observed:
"Andy has been drinking the health of all his relatives.