"Why, man, sure you did hear mass once to-day. Weren't you at it last
night? No, indeed, we won't be time enough afther it; for this bein'
Chris'mas day, we must be home at dinner-time; you know it's not lucky
to be from the family upon set days. Hang-an-ounty, come: we'll have
fine sport! I have cocksticks * enough. The best part of the day 'll be
gone if we wait for mass. Come, an' let us start."

* A cockstick was so called from being used on Cock-
Monday, to throw at a cook tied to a stake, which was a
game common among the people It was about the length of
a common stick, but much heavier and thicker at one
end.

"Well, well," replied Reillaghan, "the sorra hair I care; so let us
go. I'd like myself to have a rap at the hares in the Black Hills, sure
enough; but as it 'ud be remarkable for us to be seen lavin' mass, why
let us crass the field here, an' get out upon the road above the bridge."

To this his companion assented, and they both proceeded at a brisk pace,
each apparently anxious for the sport, and resolved to exhibit such a
frank cordiality of manner as might convince the other that all their
past enmity was forgotten and forgiven.

The direct path to the mountains lay by M'Kenna's house, where it
was necessary they should call, in order to furnish themselves with
cocksticks, and to bring dogs which young Frank kept for the purpose.
The inmates of the family were at mass, with the exception of Frank's
mother, and Rody, the servant-man, whom they found sitting on his own
bed in the barn, engaged at cards, the right hand against the left.

"Well, Rody," said Frank, "who's winnin'?"

"The left entirely," replied his companion: "the divil a game at all the
right's gettin', whatever's the rason of it, an' I'm always turnin' up
black. I hope none of my friends or acquaintances will die soon."

"Throw them aside--quit of them," said Prank, "give them to me, I'll put
them past; an' do you bring us out the gun. I've the powdher an' shot
here; we may as well bring her, an' have a slap at them. One o' the
officers in the barracks of ---- keeps me in powdher an' shot, besides
givin' me an odd crown, an' I keep him in game."

"Why, thin, boys," observed Rody, "what's the manin' o' this?--two o'
the biggest inimies in Europe last night an' this mornin' an' now as
great as two thieves! How does that come?"

"Very asy, Rody," replied Reillaghan; "we made up the quarrel, shuck
hands,