aid I, "I was to spake to Mister Callan
about the turnips."

"Sure, I can tell him that. Let the man sleep."

"But the horse has been on the road all day," said I.

The watchman pricked his ears.

"All day, and only came from Fahan?" said he.

Here, to my vast relief, a window opened above me and a head appeared.

"What's the noise about at all, at all?" called Mr Callan.

"'Deed that's just what I'm asking him," said the watchman. "And since
you're awake, Mr Callan, you may see to it. To my thinking the noise
is not worth the turnips. So good-night to you."

I was never more glad to see a man's back. In due time Mr Callan came
down in his night-cap, lantern in hand.

"Turnips," said he, as he looked first at me, then at the cart. "Whose
turnips are they?"

"They're from Knockowen, sir," said I. "My father, Mike Gallagher, bade
me tell you there's more where they came from."

He pulled the bolt of his yard gate without a word, and signed to me to
back in the cart; which I did, dreading every moment lest the watchman
should return.

When we were inside, the gate was shut, and Mr Callan turned his
lantern towards me.

"You're a young lad to send with a load like this," said he. "Did no
one overhaul you on the road?"

I told him about the two soldiers, and what the man at the inn had said.

He said nothing, but bade me unload.

The turnips were soon taken out. Under them was a layer of sacking, and
under that some thirty or forty muskets, with a box or two of
ammunition.

These Mr Callan and I carefully carried up to a loft and deposited in a
hollow space which had been prepared in a pile of hay, which was
carefully covered up again, so as to leave no trace of the murderous
fodder it hid.

"Tell Mr Gorman--tell your father, I mean, that his turnips are in
great demand, and I can sell all he's got."

"I will," said I.

"Now put in the horse and take your rest, for you must start back
betimes in the morning."

"Plaze, sir," I ventured to say, "I'd sooner eat than sleep, by your
leave."

"You shall do both," said he, for he was in great good-humour.

So I got a bite of pork and a scone, and curled myself up in the warm
hay and slept like a top.

Before daybreak Mr Callan roused me.

"Make haste now," said he, "or you'll not be home by night. And see
here, I've a message for Mr Gorman."

"Mr Gorman?" said I, remembering what I had been told.

"You are right, sonnie. You do not kn