Page 317 - The snake's pass

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A GRIM WARNING. — — 305 ;
with Murdock, when we had recovered the gun-carriage,
and were so intent on the work at which they toiled
with feverish eagerness, that they did not see us coming
and it was only when we stood close beside them that
they were conscious of our presence. Murdock turned
at once with a scowl and a sort of snarl. When he saw
who it was, he became positively livid with passion, and
at once began to bombard us with the foulest vitupera-
tion. Dick pressed my arm, as a hint to keep quiet and
leave the talking to him, and I did nothing but he
;
opposed the Gombeen Man's passion with an unruffled
calm. Indeed, he seemed tome to want even to exasperate
Murdock to the last degree. When the latter paused
for a second for breath, he quietly said:
" Keep your hair on, Murdock ! and just tell me quietly
why you are trespassing ; and why, and what, you are
trying to steal from this property?"
Murdock made no answer, so Dick went on :
" Let me tell you that I act for the owner of this land,
who bought it as it is, and I shall hold you responsible for
your conduct. I don't want to have a row needlessly,
so if you go away quietly, and promise to not either
trespass here again, or try to steal anything, I shall not
take any steps. If not, I shall do as the occasion
demands."
Murdock answered him with the most manifestly
intentional insolence :
"You! ye tell me to go away! I don't ricognize ye
at all. This land belongs to me frind, Mr. Joyce, an'
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