“Well, if I do that’s me own luk out. Ye may find yer death first!”
“Of course I may, but I see it my duty to warn you. The weather these last few weeks back has been unusually wet. The bog is rising as it is. As a matter of fact, it is nearly a foot higher now than it was when I came here first; and yet you are doing what must help to rise it higher still, and are weakening its walls at the same time.” He scowled at me as he sullenly answered:—
“Well, all I say is I’ll do as I like wid me own. I wouldn’t give up me chance iv findin’ the threasure now—no, not for God himself!”
“Hush! man; hush!” said Dick sternly, as we turned away. “Do not tempt Him, but be warned in time!”
“Let Him look out for Himself, an’ I’ll look out for meself,” he answered with a sneer. “I’ll find the threasure—an’ if need be in spite iv God an’ iv the Divil too!”
CHAPTER XIII.
MURDOCK’S WOOING.
I think it was a real pleasure to Dick to get Norah’s message that he was expected to tea that evening. Like the rest of his sex, he was not quite free from vanity; for when I told him, his first act was to look down at himself ruefully, and his first words were:—
“But I say, old lad! look at the mess I’m in; and these clothes are not much, anyhow.”
“Never mind, Dick, you are as good as I am.”
“Oh, well!” he laughed, “if you’ll do, I suppose I needn’t mind. We’re both pretty untidy. No, begad,” he added, looking me all over, “you’re not out of the perpendicular with regard to cleanliness, anyhow. I say, Art! who’s been tidying you up? Oh! I see! Forgive me, old lad; and quite natural, too! Miss Joyce should see you blush, Art! Why, you are as rosy as a girl!”