Page 318 - The snake's pass

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306 " —— the snake's pass. — —
I shall come on it whin I like, and do as I like. Whin
me frind tells me not to come here, I shall shtay away.
!
Till then I shall do as I like
Said Dick :
" You think that will do to bluff me because you know
Joyce is away for the day, and that, in the meantime, you
can do what you want, and perhaps get out of the bog
some property that does not belong to you. I shall not
argue with you any more ; but I warn you that you will
have to answer for your conduct."
Murdock and Moynahan continued their pulling at
the rope. We waited till the haul was over, and saw that
the spoil on this occasion was a part of the root of a tree.
Then, when both men were sitting exhausted beside it,
Dick took out his notebook, and began to make notes of
everything. Presently he turned to Murdock, and said :
" Have you been fishing, Mr. Murdock ? What a
strange booty you have brought up ! It is really most
kind of you to be aiding to secure the winter firing for
Mr. Joyce and my friend. Is there anything but bog-
"
wood to be found here ?
Murdock' s reply was a curse and a savage scowl; but
old Moynahan joined in the conversation :
"Now, I tould ye, Murtagh, that we war too low
down !
" Shut up ! " shouted the other, and the old man shrank
back as if he had been struck. Dick looked down, and
seemed to be struck by the cross of loose stones at his
feet, and said: