An hour later, young Sampson Tramplara was at the cromlech. As he approached, he heard moaning and cries issuing from the interior.
'What the devil is the matter here?' he asked, looking in. 'Who is that howling and groaning?'
'Oh, Cap'n, it be me; I be took cruel bad wi' rheumatics and the loinbagey.'
'Well, I'm not your doctor.'
'I sent to tell'y that I couldn't fulfil my duty to-day there to Ophir.'
'Then your daughter can do it.'
'Her's off to Lanson.'
'What the devil is she gone there for?'
'Sure, after my backie. Your vaither he promised me a pound a day for the work I did, and he arn't paid me for a long while. Look'y there, I ha' notched it all on the stone. There be as many days as you have fingers and toes, and your head chucked in as well.'
'You fool!' exclaimed young Tramplara, 'why did you not apply to me, instead of sending all the way to Launceston for it?'