550 THE TUSKAR ROCK. 



devil a sup's to be got for love or money, barrin' some 

 gentleman keeps a little for his own use, or to treat his friends wid." 



" Jack," says the greyhound, looking mighty sober and grave, 

 " you are too fond of cursing and potteen ; that's three times you said 

 devil since we met, and I don't like it : you don't know who may 

 be listening to you; but look behind the tree, and you'll find a 

 jar ; bring it here." 



And there he found an ilegant jar, and a nice big glass ; and he 

 brought 'em out, and filled the glass, and gev it to the dog. 



" Help yourself, Jack," says he. 



" After you's manners, sir," says Jack ; " and besides myself 

 doesn't know what's in it; may be it wouldn't be good for me, your 

 honour." 



" I pledge you my honour, Jack," says he, quite serious ; " it will 

 do you no harm; but if you suspect me, give me the glass:" and 

 taking it in his paw, he tossed it off, and made all the faces after it 

 just like a Christian. 



Well, Jack, when he saw that, didn't wait to be tould twice, and 

 they drank two or three glasses a-piece ; and the greyhound sang a 

 mighty fine song for Jack, but he couldn't remember it ; but it was 

 something about an old woman flying over the moon, and a nice 

 sweet voice he had of his own too. Well, they fell to work again 

 like mad, and they hadn't dug long when they hot upon a great 

 stone. 



" Put your hand down, Jack," says the dog, " and take up that 

 stone." 



And so he did, a great flat flag wid a ring in it, and under it there 

 was a big hole full of crocks of money. 



" By my soul," says Jack to himself, " I might have easy guessed 

 what you were scraping for ; but I'll fix you, 'cute as you are." 



So when they got the crocks up, Jack would only take the smallest 

 piece in 'em, just, as he said, for the price of his labour. Well, the 

 dog tould him he might take what he liked ; coaxed him and threat- 

 ened him, but all wouldn't do. Jack used always to say, 



" What would the likes of me do with so much money, your 

 honour ?" 



" Jack," says the dog, "for a fellow that thinks himself so 'cute, 

 you're the biggest fool I ever met ; but I have taken a great fancy 

 to you for your being so obleeging in helping me ; and now listen to 

 me. Mark this spot well. You may come every Friday night, and 

 take out of these crocks just one of the pieces of money like what 

 you have in your hand. You may tell your story to any body, but 

 you must not show the tree, nor take any one with you on the Friday 

 nights ; if you do, mark my words, it will be worse for you ; and 

 now good night, Jack ; if you use my money properly it will prosper 

 with you, if not, I'll meet you again, that's all. So good bye, 

 Jack." 



" Good bye, sir," says Jack. 



So they shook hands and parted ! the dog turned back to the ould 

 church-yard, and Jack went down to the water-side, and launched 

 his cot, and came across the river, and so got home. Well, the first 



