'Mebbe I might an' mebbe I mightn't, an' mebbe I might too.' The omadhawn had turned suddenly sulky after the manner of his kind, and it was evident that there was nothing more to be got out of him. The stranger saw this, and said, 'Well, don't go telling everybody you meet all you've told me, and mind you don't get robbed before you get back here. Good luck to you.'
'Morrow till ye, an' God be wi' ye, whereever ye go,' responded the haverel as he rode off.
Two days afterwards Barney was once more passing through the Gap, this time on his return journey. It was evening and the scene was very different from the first occasion of his visit to the place. Instead of damp and mist there was now brilliant sunshine which flooded the valley and the far hill-sides with purple light, and glittered upon the surface of the brook with the slanting rays of eventide. Barney could now see that the side of the precipice leading downwards from the road was not absolutely perpendicular, but was diversified with rocky ledges and huge boulders, which lent a wild and rugged aspect to the scenery, intensified by the great mountains which towered steeply upon either hand. While the sight of the sea in the background added to the loneliness of the mountains the vaster loneliness of the ocean.
At a turn of the road he came upon the stranger stationed at the same point as before, and as then drawn up across the path.
'Why it's yer 'ahner's self agin,' cried Barney delightedly, 'more power to yer elbow.'
'Oh, so you're here, then,' said the other with evident relief, 'where's the money?'
'The money is it? Troth it's in my pooch safe enough, I'll warrant, I thought I'd sarcumvint that robber villain.'
'Hand it over.'
'I hope yer 'ahner hasn't met him yersilf at ahl.'
'Hand it over.'