the first time that I ever knew a native of the Emerald Isle to
refuse a stranger a crust of bread or a drop of water," I continued,
resolved to try what virtue there was in flattery.

"Will yer save yer blarney?" demanded the fellow, again levelling his
gun in my direction, a proceeding that I did not thank him for, although
I did not manifest alarm.

"Go to the devil!" I cried, thoroughly out of patience, "and send your
master to me."

"O, holy St. Patrick! only hear him! He calls me master the devil, and
thinks I won't resent the insult. Look out for yer eye, for by the piper
that played before Moses, I'll bore yer through and through!"

I believe the fellow would have kept his word, and I was just about to
show them my horse's heels, when I heard a man speak in a tone of
authority,--

"Up with your guns, and don't make fools of yourselves by shooting an
unarmed man."

In obedience to the order the guns were lowered, and a number of the men
fell back from the window, and allowed me to get a glimpse of the person
whom I supposed to be Mr. Wright. He was a tall, well-built man, with
broad shoulders, and a face entirely English, covered with sandy
whiskers.

"Who are you?" he asked, with the bluffness and arrogance of a native of
Great Britain.

"A man," I replied.

"I have your word for that, but I require better evidence."

"What better evidence do you require?" I demanded.

He did not notice the remark, but continued,--

"I see many people every week, and although they have the form of men,
they are villains."

"The more reason why you should treat honest people with courtesy when
chance brings them this way," I replied.

"Hear the feller's blarney," muttered the Irishman.

"Silence," said Mr. Wright, and the command was obeyed.

"We have to be extremely cautious whom we admit within these walls," Mr.
Wright continued, "for a gang of bushrangers has been prowling around
the farm for a week or more, and are endeavoring to destroy my flocks.
How shall I know that you don't belong to the gang?"

He waved his hand in a significant manner, and I could not have been
more surprised had an earthquake shaken me from my horse.

"My deeds have always been squared in accordance with the great
principles of the fraternity," I replied, and it was pleasing to see
what a change took place in the demeanor of the farmer.

"Down with your guns," he shouted, "and unbolt and unbar the door. See
to the gentleman'