Page 41 - The snake's pass

—
THE LOST CROWN OF GOLD. — 29
in bank an' what owns his houldin' ; an' he's not afeerd
to have his say about Murdock."
"Can any of you tell me why Murdock can't leave
the Hill ? " I spoke out.
"Begor' I can," said Dan, quickly. "He can't lave
"
it because the Hill houlds him !
" What on earth do you mean ? How can the Hill
"
hold him ?
" It can hould tight enough There may be raysons
!
that a man gives—sometimes wan thing, an' sometimes
another; but the Hill houlds—an' houlds tight all the
"
same !
Here the door was opened suddenly, and the fire blazed
up with the rush of wind that entered. All stood up
suddenly, for the new comer was a priest. He was a
sturdy man of middle age, with a cheerful countenance.
Sturdy as he was, however, it took him all his strength to
shut the door, but he succeeded before any of the men
could get near enough to help him. Then he turned and
saluted all the company:
" God save all here."
All present tried to do him some service. One took his
wet great coat, another his dripping hat, and a third
pressed him into the warmest seat in the chimney corner,
where, in a very few seconds, Mrs. Kelligan handed him a
steaming glass of punch, saying, "Dhrink that up, yer
Biv'rence. 'Twill help to kape ye from catchin' cowld."
"Thank ye, kindly," he answered, as he took it.
When he had half emptied the glass, he said: