s in England. Dear me, and there was the landlord
bowing to you as if you were a prince, and all his servants in a row
with the utmost respect for you. Ah, O'Ruddy, it's men like you that
gives the good name to Ireland, and causes her to be looked up to by
all the people of the world."

I gave Father Donovan heartfelt thanks for his kindness, and prayed to
myself that we would not come upon Jem Bottles on the road, and that
we would be left unmolested on our journey until we saw the sea-coast.
Of course, if we were set upon, it would not be my fault, and it's not
likely he would blame me; but if we came on Bottles, he was inclined
to be very easy in conversation, and, in spite of my warnings, would
let slip words that would shock the old priest. But when a day begins
too auspiciously, its luck is apt to change before the sun sets, as it
was with me.

It was nearing mid-day, and we were beginning to feel a trifle hungry,
yet were in a part of the country that gave little promise of an inn,
for it was a lonely place with heath on each side of the road, and,
further on, a bit of forest. About half-way through this wooded plain
an astonishing sight met my eyes. Two saddled horses were tied to a
tree, and by the side of the road appeared to be a heap of nine or
ten saddles, on one of which a man was sitting, comfortably eating a
bit of bread, while on another a second man, whose head was tied up in
a white cloth, lay back in a recumbent position, held upright by the
saddlery. Coming closer, I was disturbed to see that the man eating
was Jem Bottles, while the other was undoubtedly poor Paddy, although
his clothes were so badly torn that I had difficulty in recognizing
them as my own. As we drew up Jem stood and saluted with his mouth
full, while Paddy groaned deeply. I was off my horse at once and ran
to Paddy.

"Where are ye hurted?" said I.

"I'm killed," said Paddy.

"I've done the best I could for him," put in Jem Bottles. "He'll be
all right in a day or two."

"I'll not," said Paddy, with more strength than one would suspect;
"I'll not be all right in a day or two, nor in a week or two, nor in a
month or two, nor in a year or two; I'm killed entirely."

"You're not," said Bottles. "When I was on the highway I never minded
a little clip like that."

"Hush, Bottles," said I, "you talk altogether too much. Paddy," cried
I, "get on your feet, and show yer manners here to Father Donovan."

Paddy got on his feet w