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 in bank an' what owns his houldin'; an' he's not afeerd to have his say about Murdock."

"Can any of you tell me why Murdock can't leave the Hill?" I spoke out.

"Begor' I can," said Dan, quickly. "He can't lave it because the Hill houlds him!"

"What on earth do you mean? How can the Hill hold him?"

"It can hould tight enough! There may be raysons that a man gives—sometimes wan thing, an' sometimes another; but the Hill houlds—an' houlds tight all the same!"

Here the door was opened suddenly, and the fire blazed up with the rush of wind that entered. All stood up suddenly, for the new comer was a priest. He was a sturdy man of middle age, with a cheerful countenance. Sturdy as he was, however, it took him all his strength to shut the door, but he succeeded before any of the men could get near enough to help him. Then he turned and saluted all the company:—

"God save all here."

All present tried to do him some service. One took his wet great coat, another his dripping hat, and a third pressed him into the warmest seat in the chimney corner, where, in a very few seconds, Mrs. Kelligan handed him a steaming glass of punch, saying, "Dhrink that up, yer Riv'rence. 'Twill help to kape ye from catchin' cowld."

"Thank ye, kindly," he answered, as he took it. When he had half emptied the glass, he said:—