Page 79 - The snake's pass

THE SECRETS OF THE BOG. 67
they have. in this part of the world is to find a place that
is not bog. However, about the shifting bog on Knock-
calltecrore, I can, perhaps, help you as much as any one.
As you know, geology has been one of my favourite
studies, and lately I have taken to investigate in my
spare time the phenomena of this very subject. The
bog at Shleenanaher is most interesting. As yet, how-
ever, my investigation can only be partial, but very soon
I shall have the opportunity which I require."
" How is that ? " I asked.
"The difficulty arises," he answered, "from a local feud
between two men, one of them my employer, Murdock,
and his neighbour, Joyce."
" Yes," I interrupted, " I know something of it. I
was present when the sheriff's assignment was shown
to Joyce, and saw the quarrel. But how does it affect
"
you and your study ?
"This way; the bog is partly on Murdock' s land and
partly on Joyce's, and until I can investigate the whole
extent I cannot come to a definite conclusion. The feud
is so bitter at present that neither man will allow the
other to set foot over his boundary—or the foot of any
one to whom the other is friendly. However, to-morrow
the exchange of lands is to be effected, and then I shall be
able to continue my investigation. I have already gone
nearly all over Murdock' s present ground, and after to-
morrow I shall be able to go over his new ground— up
to now forbidden to me."
"How does Joyce take his defeat?"