“And, is it possible you didn't hear it?” he asked with surprise, “howandever, you shall. I was carrying a letther from Mr. M'Slime, that good, pious crature”—another shrewd look at Susanna, “Mr. M'Slime to Mr. M'Clutchy, another good gintleman, too, and who should attack me on the way but that turncoat hathen Bob Beatty, wid a whole posse of idolathers at his heels. They first abused me because I left them in their darkness, and then went to search me for writs, swearin' that they'd make me ait every writ I happened to have about me. Now, I didn't like to let Mr. M'Slime's letther fall into their hands, and, accordingly, I tore it up and swallowed it, jist in ordher to disappoint the hathens. Howandever, I'm sufferin' for it, but sure you know, Poll, it's our duty—I don't mane yours, for you're a hathen and idolather still—but mine; it's my duty to suffer for the thruth, anyhow.”
Poll's laughter was loud and vehement on hearing these sentiments from a man she knew so well; but, to tell the truth, Darby, who felt that, in consequence of his last interview with Lucre, he was in for it, came to the resolution of doing it heavy, as they say, or, in other words, of going the whole hog.
“This appears to be a strange country, observed the traveller.
“Wait,” said Poll, “till you come to know it, and you'll say that.”
“No, but wait,” observed Darby, “till the spread comes, and then you may say it.”
“What do you mean by the spread?” asked! the stranger.
“Why, the spread o' the gospel—of religion, to be shure,” replied Darby; “and in this counthry,” he added, “a glorious spread it is, the Lord be praised! Are you travellin far in this direction, sir, wid summission?”
“I am going as far as Springfield, the residence of a Mr. Hickman, to whom I have a letter of introduction. Do you know him?”
“He was an agent on this property,” replied Darby; “but Mr. M'Clutchy came afther him; and, indeed, the tenants is mighty well satisfied wid the change. Hickman, sir, was next to a hathen—made no differ in life between an idolather and a loyal Protestant, but Mr. M'Clutchy, on the other hand, knows how to lean to his own, as he ought to do. And in regard o' that, I'd advise you when you see Mr. Hickman, jist to be on your guard as to what he may say about the Castle Cumber property, and them that's employed an it. Between you and me, he's not over scrupulous, and don't be surprised if he lays it hot and heavy on Mr. M'Clutchy and others, not forgettin' your humble sarvant, merely in regard of our honesty and loyalty, for I'm a staunch Protestant, myself, glory be to God, and will support the Castle Cumber inthrest through thick and thin. Now, sir,” he added, “there's two ways to Hickman's; and between you and me agin' Mr. Hickman is a real gentleman, exceptin' his little failings about M'Clutchy; but who is widout them? I dunna, but it would be as well if he had remained agent still; and when you see him, if you happen to say that Darby O'Drive tould you so, I think he'll understand you. Well—there's two ways, as I said, to this place—one by this road, that turns to the right—which, indeed, is the shortest—the other is by Constitution Cottage, which is M'Clutchy's place, where I am goin' to.”
The stranger, after thanking Darby for his information, took the shorter road, and in about an hour or so reached Springfield.