Page 138 - The snake's pass

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CHAPTER VII.
VANISHED.
We were all astir shortly after daylight on Monday
morning. Dick's foot was well enough for his walk to
Knockcalltecrore, and Andy came with me to Knock-
nacar, as had been arranged, for I wanted his help in
engaging labourers and beginning the work. We got
to the shebeen about nine o'clock, and Andy having
put up the mare went out to get labourers. As I was
morally certain that at that hour in the morning there
would be no chance of seeing my unknown on the hill-
top, I went at once to the bog, taking my map with
me and studying the ground where we were to com-
mence operations.
Andy joined me in about half-an-hour with five men
all he had been able to get in the time. They were
fine strapping young fellows and seemed interested in
the work, so I thought the contingent would be strong
enough. By this time I had the ground marked out
according to the plan, and so without more ado we com-
menced work.
We had attacked the hill some two hundred feet