ntirely ceased, they were fain to rest contented with such seats as
they could get, which on this occasion consisted of the pots aforesaid.
No sooner, however, had they risen to dance than the house was convulsed
with laughter, heightened by the sturdy vigor with which, unconscious of
their appearance, they continued to dance. That part of the white female
dresses which had come in contact with the pots, exhibited a circle
like the full moon, and was black as pitch. Nor were their partners
more lucky: those who sat on the mouths of the pots had the back part
of their dresses streaked with dark circles, equally ludicrous. The mad
mirth with which they danced, in spite of their grotesque appearance,
was irresistible. This, and other incidents quite as pleasant--such as
the case of a wag who purposely sank himself into one of the pots, until
it stuck to him through half the dance--increased the laughter, and
disposed them to peace and cordiality.

No man took a more active part in these frolics than young Frank
M'Kenna. It is true, a keen eye might have noticed under his gayety
something of a moody and dissatisfied air. As he moved about from time
to time, he whispered something to above a dozen persons, who were well
known in the country as his intimate companions, young fellows whose
disposition and character were notoriously bad. When he communicated
the whisper, a nod of assent was given by his confidants, after which it
might be remarked that they moved round to the door with a caution that
betrayed a fear of observation, and quietly slunk out of the barn one
by one, though Frank himself did not immediately follow them. In about
a quarter of an hour afterwards, Rody came in, gave him a signal and sat
down. Frank then followed his companions, and after a few minutes
Rody also disappeared. This was about ten o'clock, and the dance was
proceeding with great gayety and animation.

Frank's dread of openly offending his parents prevented him from
assembling his associates in the dwelling-house; the only convenient
place of rendezvous, therefore, of which they could avail themselves,
was the stable. Here they met, and Frank, after uncorking a bottle of
poteen, addressed them to the following effect:

"Boys, there's great excuse for me, in regard of my fight wid Mike
Reillaghan; that you'll all allow. Come, boys, your healths! I can tell
yez you'll find this good, the divil a doubt of it; be the same token,
that I stole it