r of Letty Lenehan was somewhat
nearer him than he imagined. She had come to call them to breakfast, and
seeing that the back-door of the barn was open, she approached it, as
being nearest to her, and on peeping in, half disposed for a piece of
frolic, she heard Mogue utter the soliloquy we have just repeated; but
as he stood with his back towards her, he was not at all aware that she
was present, or had heard him.

Immediately after breakfast, Mogue and M'Carthy set out for the
mountains, the latter furnished with all the necessary equipments for
the sport, and the former carrying a game-bag and refreshments; for
as M'Carthy knew that it must be the last day he could devote to such
amusements, he resolved to have a good day's sport, if possible.

"Now, Mogue," said his companion, "you are much better acquainted with
these mountains than I am, and with those places where we may be likely
to find most game. I, therefore, place myself in your hands for the
day."

"Well, indeed I ought, sir, to know them," replied Mogue, "and I believe
I do; and talkin' of that, you have often heard of the great robber and
rapparee, Shaun Bernha?"

"I have heard of him, and of his Stables, which lie up somewhere in
these mountains."

"Exactly, sir; an' it is what I was thinkin'; that we might take a look
at them in the coorse of our sport to-day; in regard, especially, that
there's more game about them than in any other part of the mountains."

"Very well, then, Mogue," replied his companion, "so be it; you are, as
I said, my guide for the day."

"But do you know, sir, why he was called Shaun Bernha?"

"No, I can't say I do."

"It was odd enough, to be sure. Howandever, may I be happy but they say
it's true! You see, sir, he was called Shaun Bernha bekaise he never had
a tooth in his head; an' no more had any of his family; and yet, sir,
it's said, that he could bite a piece out of a plate of sheet iron as
aisily as you or I could out a cake of gingerbread."

"Well, Morgue, all that I can say to that is, that he had devilish hard
gums, and stood in no fear of the toothache."

"Well, then, we'll sweep around the slebeen hills here, keepin'
Altnaveenan to our right, and Lough Mocall to our left; then, by going
right ahead we'll come to his stables; and indeed they're well worth
seein'."

"With all my heart, Mague, never say it again." And they accordingly
proceeded at a vigorous pace to the mountains, which were now distant
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