ad no prospect before him but starving, or making
away with himself. I inquired "How much would take him to Ireland, and
establish him there with credit." "Five pounds," he answered, adding,
"but who in the world would be fool enough to lend me five pounds, unless
it be yourself, Shorsha, who, may be, have not got it; for when you told
me about yourself, you made no boast of the state of your affairs." "I
am not very rich," I replied, "but I think I can accommodate you with
what you want. I consider myself under great obligations to you,
Murtagh; it was you who instructed me in the language of Oilein nan
Naomha, which has been the foundation of all my acquisitions in
philology; without you, I should not have been what I am--Lavengro! which
signifies a philologist. Here is the money, Murtagh," said I, putting my
hand into my pocket, and taking out five pounds, "much good may it do
you." He took the money, stared at it, and then at me--"And you mane to
give me this, Shorsha?" "It is no longer mine to give," said I; "it is
yours." "And you give it me for the gratitude you bear me?" "Yes," said
I, "and for Dungarvon times of old." "Well, Shorsha," said he, "you are
a broth of a boy, and I'll take your benefaction--five pounds! och,
Jasus!" He then put the money in his pocket, and springing up, waved his
hat three times, uttering some old Irish cry; then, sitting down, he took
my hand, and said, "Sure, Shorsha, I'll be going thither; and when I get
there, it is turning over another leaf I will be; I have learnt a thing
or two abroad; I will become a priest; that's the trade, Shorsha! and I
will cry out for repale; that's the cry, Shorsha! and I'll be a fool no
longer." "And what will you do with your table?" said I. "'Faith, I'll
be taking it with me, Shorsha; and when I gets to Ireland, I'll get it
mended, and I will keep it in the house which I shall have; and when I
looks upon it, I will be thinking of all I have undergone." "You had
better leave it behind you," said I; "if you take it with you, you will,
perhaps, take up the thimble trade again before you get to Ireland, and
lose the money I am after giving you." "No fear of that, Shorsha; never
will I play on that table again, Shorsha, till I get it mended, which
shall not be till I am a priest, and have a house in which to place it."

Murtagh and I then went into the town, where we had some refreshment
together, and then parted on our several ways. I hear