ow Mr Gorman," said the
tradesman, slapping me on the back and laughing. "If you did know him,
I would have bid you tell him that people talk of him here, and say he
lacks zeal in a good cause. If lie is resolved to deal in turnips, he
must deal in them largely, and not go behind our backs to them that deal
in other trades. Mark that."

I confess it sounded very like a riddle, and I had to say the words over
many times to myself before I could be sure of carrying them.

Then, my cart being loaded with straw, I bade Mr Callan good-day, and
started on my long journey back to Knockowen.

CHAPTER THREE.

WAKING.

Had it not been for what I dreaded to find at home, my journey back from
Derry would have been light enough; for now I was rid of my turnips I
had nothing to fear from inquisitive wayfarers. Nor had I cause to be
anxious as to the way, for my mare knew she was homeward bound, and
stepped out briskly with no encouragement from me.

Indeed I had so little to do that about noon, when we had got off the
highroad on to the hill-track, I curled myself up in the straw and fell
asleep. Nor did I wake till the cart suddenly came to a standstill, and
I felt myself being lifted out of my nest.

At first I thought I was back already at Knockowen, and wondered at the
speed the old jade had made while I slept. But as soon as I had rubbed
my eyes I found we were still on the hillside, and that my awakers were
a handful of soldiers.

They demanded my name and my master's. When I told them Mr Gorman of
Knockowen, they were a thought less rough with me; for his honour was
known as a friend of the government. Nevertheless they said they must
search my cart, and bade me help them to unload the straw.

I could not help laughing as I saw them so busy.

"What's the limb laughing at?" said one angrily. "Maybe he's not so
innocent as he looks."

"'Deed, sir," said I, "I was laughing at the soldiers I met at Fahan,
who thought I'd got guns under his honour's turnips. I warrant Mr
Gorman won't laugh at that. Maybe it's guns you're looking for too.
They're easy hid in a load of straw."

At this they looked rather abashed, although they thought fit to cuff me
for an impudent young dog. And when the straw was all out, and nothing
found underneath, it was not a little hard on me that they left me to
put it in again myself, roundly rating one another for the sorry figure
they cut.

I was too glad to be rid of them