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Rh that noble action, and that if an emergency ever arises in which help would be wanted from us—God forbid that it should come, but if it should—tell him that there is not a man in this district who will not cheerfully risk his life for his King."

"This gentleman knows, Father," said Cormac, "that I have often said that very thing to him since the day the King gave orders to have those horses searched for and given back to the poor people."

"Indeed you did, Cormac," said the Captain. "You said it so often that there is no fear of anybody forgetting it. But it won't do for us to forget your own business. What business is this that you have to do yourself, Cormac? I hope it won't put us in as tight a fix as we were in a while ago, until Shiana got us out of it."

"That is the thing, Cormac," said the priest. "What business is this that you have to do?"

"I was over at your house, Father, to speak to you about it, but you were gone before I got there. I was told that you had come here, and I followed your reverence."

"Very good," said the priest. "We are all here now. What do you want, Cormac?"

"This, Father," said Cormac; "I want to make a little alteration in my way of life."

"An alteration in your way of life?" said the priest, as if he were greatly astonished. "Surely, Cormac, you are not going to give up the office of bailiff?"

"Oh, indeed now, Father," said Cormac, "I am sure you know very well that I am not going to give up the office of bailiff, of course; but your reverence is always ready for a joke, and you are determined