s," said Thady,
perceiving that he must now absolutely make the man understand that
he was not to be talked over, "out of that, and let me pass. And I'll
tell you what, I'll not have my neck in danger; and if I hear you
threatening murdher, I'll have you before the magisthrates," and he
pushed by the man, who, however, still walked close behind him.

"And is that the way with you now? Have me before the magisthrates
will you? and where'd you be all the time? Why there's not one of
them that was in it, at Mrs. Mehan's that night, but could have you
before the magisthrates, and I'm thinking thim folk would make a deal
more of you than they would of me. Av you talk of magisthrates, Mr.
Thady, may be you'll find there's too many of them in the counthry
for yerself."

Thady walked on fast, but did not answer him, and Reynolds
continued--"Come, Mr. Thady, I don't intend to anger you, or affront
you; and av I've said anything that way, I axes your pardon; but just
answer me--will you come down there only for once, av it wor only
becase you swore it afore them all on the holy cross?"

"No, Joe, I will not; av I took any oath at all, I was dhrunk:
besides, I said I wouldn't, and I won't; so now good night."

"But, Mr. Thady, av you'd only come there to tell the boys so
themselves, it would be all right. Shure you're not afeard to trust
yerself among them."

"Not a foot, Joe."

"Well, then, I tell you, you'll be sorry; not that I'd say a word
agin you myself, becase though you've ill-trated me now, you wor
always a kind landlord, and becase it's not in your heart to hurt
a poor man; but I tell you, and you'll find it comes thrue enough,
there were them there that night at Mrs. Mehan's as will turn agin
you, unless you do as I'm axing you now."

"Well, Joe, I cant help it if they do, so good night."

They had now come to a lane, and as Thady was going to jump on the
bank to get over, Joe put his hand on his coat.

"One more word, yer honer, may be yet you'll change your mind."

"Indeed, I shall not then."

"May be you will, and I'm thinking when you find Keegan too hard
on you it 'll come to that. Well, av you do, let me know, and I'll
make it all right for you. Just tell Corney Dolan, and he's still at
Drumleesh, that you're wanting me, and I won't be far off."

Thady did not answer him, but merely saying, "Good night, Joe,"
jumped into the road, and Joe by some devious path, through bogs and
bottoms, betook himse