se that it could be the
receptacle of a human being.

On entering, Clinton and his men were by no means surprised to find
the place deserted, for this in fact was frequently the case on such
occasions. On looking through the premises, which they did by the light
of a large fire, they found precisely that which had been mentioned in
Hycy's letter--to wit, the Still, the Head, and the Worm; but with the
exception of an old broken rundlet or two, and a crazy vessel of wash
that was not worth removing, there was nothing whatsoever besides.

The Still was on the fire half filled with water, the Head was on the
Still, and the Worm was attached to the Head precisely as if they were
in the process of distillation.

"Ay," said Clinton, on seeing how matters stood, "I think I understand
this affair. It's a disappointment in one sense--but a sure enough card
in another. The fine is certain, and Ahadarra is most undoubtedly in for
it."

CHAPTER XV.--State of the Country

--Hycy's Friendship for Bryan M'Mahon--Bryan's Interview with his
Landlord.

M'Mahon's last interview with Fethertonge was of so cheering a nature,
and indicated on the part of that gentleman so much true and sterling
kindness towards the young man and his family, that he felt perfectly
satisfied on leaving him, and after having turned their conversation
over in his mind, that he might place every confidence in the assurance
he had given him. His father, too, who had never for a moment doubted
Feathertonge, felt equally gratified at Bryan's report of their
interview, as indeed did the whole family; they consequently spared
neither labor nor expense in the improvements which they were making on
their farms.

The situation of the country and neighborhood at this period was indeed
peculiar, and such as we in this unhappy country have experienced
both before and since. I have already stated, that there was a partial
failure of the potato crop that season, a circumstance which uniformly
is the forerunner of famine and sickness. The failure, however, on that
occasion was not caused by a blight in the haulm, or to use plainer
words, by a sudden withering of the stalks, but by large portions of the
seed failing to grow. The partial scarcity, however, occasioned by this,
although it did not constitute what can with propriety be termed famine,
cause the great mass of pauperism which such a season always extends and
increases, to press so heavily upon the str