Page 28 - The snake's pass

16 THE SNAKE'S PASS.
jool in it that tuk the colour iv the light, whether that
same was from the sun or the moon ; an' all the shnakes
had to take it in turns to bring food, and lave it for him
in the cool iv the evenin', whin he would come out and ate
it up and go back to his own place. An' they do say that
whiniver two shnakes had a quarr'll they had to come to
the King, an' he decided betune them ; an' he tould aich
iv them where he was to live, and what he was to do. An'
wanst in ivery year there had to be brought to him a live
baby ; and they do say that he would wait until the moon
was at the full, an' thin would be heerd one wild wail that
made every sowl widin miles shuddher, an' thin there
would be black silence, and clouds would come over the
moon, and for three days it would never be seen agin."
" Oh, Glory be to God ! " murmured one of the women,
" but it was a terrible thing ! " and she rocked herself
to and fro, moaning, all the motherhood in her awake.
" But did none of the min do nothin' r " said a
powerful-looking young fellow in the orange and green
jersey of the Gaelic Athletic Club, with his eyes flash-
ing ; and he clenched his teeth.
" Musha Sure, no man ever seen
! how could they ?
the King iv the Shnakes!"
" Thin how did they know about him ? " he queried
doubtfully.
" Sure, wasn't one of their childher tuk away iv'ry
year ? But, anyhow, it's all over now ! an' so it was
that none iv the min iver wint. They do say that one
woman what lost her child, run up to the top of the