Not long was Owen asleep when there came a knock at the door.
"Get up, Owen O'Mulready, and go with a letter from the master to America."
Owen got up, and put his feet into his boots, saying to himself, "It's late you come, messenger."
He took the letter, and he went forward and never tarried till he came to the foot of Sliabh Charn, where he met a cow-boy, and he herding cows.
"The blessing of God be with you, Owen O'Mulready," says the boy.
"The blessing of God and Mary be with you, my boy," says Owen. "Every one knows me, and I don't know any one at all."
"Where are you going this time of night?" says the boy.
"I'm going to America, with a letter from the master; is this the right road?" says Owen.
"It is; keep straight to the west; but how are you going to get over the water?" says the boy.
"Time enough to think of that when I get to it," replied Owen.