“'Come, come, Mick, now that we're on a spiritual subject, I'll hear nothing from you till I try whether it's possible to give you a trute insight into religion. Stop, now, and let us lay our heads together, that we may make out something of a dacenter creed for you to believe in than the one you profess. Tell me the truth, do you believe in the priests?'
“'How?' replied Mick; 'I believe that they're holy men—but I know they can't save me widout the Redeemer and His blessed mother,'
“'By the light above us, you're shuffling, Mick—I say you do believe in them—now, don't tell me to the contrary—I say you're shuffling as fast as possible.'
“'I tould you truth, sir,' replied Mick; 'and if you don't believe me, I can't help it.'
“'Don't trust in the priests, Mick; that's the main point to secure your salvation.'
“Mick, who knew his prejudices against the priests, smiled faintly, and replied—
“'Why, sir, I trust in them as bein' able to make inthercession wid God for me, that's all'
“'They make intercession! By the stool I'm sitting on, a single word from one of them would ruin you. They, a set of ribles, to make interest for you in heaven! Didn't they rise the rebellion in Ireland?—answer me that.'
“'This is a subject, sir, we would never agree on,' replied Mick.
“'Have you the Ten Commandments?' inquired Vesey.