Page 229 - The snake's pass

BOG-FISHING AND SCHOOLING. — 217
is some work which I wish you to give me a hand
with."
I started up aud took my hat, whispered good-bye
to Norah, and went with him. She did not come to
the door ; but from the gate I looked back and saw her
sweet face peeping through the diamond pane of the
lattice.
it, Dick ? " I asked, as we went down the
" What is
lane.
" A new start to-day. Murdock evidently thinks we
have got on the track of something. He went into
Galway for a big grapnel; and now we are making an
effort to lift it—whatever 'it' is—out of the bog."
" By Jove ! " said I, " things are getting close."
"Yes," said Dick. "And I am inclined to think he
is right. There is most probably a considerable mass
of iron in the bog. We have located the spot, and are
only waiting for you, so as to be strong enough to make
a cast."
When we got to the edge of the bog we found Murdock
standing beside a temporary jetty, arranged out of a
long plank, with one end pinned to the ground and
the centre supported on a large stone, placed on the
very edge of the solid ground, where a rock cropped
up. Beside him was a very large grappling-iron, some
When
four feet wide, attached to a coil of strong rope.
we came up, he saluted me in a half surly manner,
and we set to work, Dick saying, as we began :
" Mr. Severn, Mr. Murdock has asked us to help in