Page 298 - The snake's pass

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286 " —— THE snake's pass.
" Musha ! but it's cowld I am ! ' he shivered.
'
" Begor it is — git up and come home ! ' said Murdock,
'
and he dragged the old man to his feet.
" Hould me up, Murtagh,' said the latter, ' I'm that
'
cowld I can't shtand, an' me legs is like shtones—I can't
!
feel them at all, at all
"'All right!' said the other, 'walk on a little bit
—sthraight—as ye're goin' now—I'll just shtop to cork
the bottle.'
" From my position I could see their movements, and as
I am a living man, Art ! I saw Murdock turn him with
his face to the bog, and send him to walk straight to
his death !
"
" Good Grod
! Dick—are you quite certain ?
" I haven't the smallest doubt on my mind. I wish
I could have, for it's a terrible thing to remember !
That attempt to murder in the dark and the storm,
comes between me and sleep ! Moreover, Murdoch's
action the instant after showed only too clearly what
he intended. He turned quickly away, and I could
hear him mutter as he moved past me on his way
down the hill :
" ' He'll not throuble me now—curse him ! an' his share
won't be required,' and then he laughed a low horrible
laugh, slow and harsh, and as though to himself ; and I
heard him say :
"
' An' whin I do get the chist, Miss Norah, ye'll be the
!'"
nixt
My blood began to boil as I heard of the villain's