THE sheriff's OFFICER. 137 



because when any of ihem sort of people get put out of the way, we 

 never count them in this part of the country." The stranger looked 

 at Barney with a curious and undecided appearance ; Barney not 

 liking the tone the conversation had taken, looked very frightened, 

 and so huried as much of his countenance as possible in his glass. 

 «' Then murders are not unfrequent in this part, seemingly," said 

 the stranger. " Oh, yes, they are," said Gorman ; " we have not 

 had above two or three lately, always excepting them that come with 

 distresses and writs, and we don't call that murder." The stranger 

 and Barney seemed not thoroughly to understand this sort of reason- 

 ing, though they were slightly of opinion that it was not much matter 

 what they called it, so long as they did knock a sheriff's officer on 

 the head. After several attempts at conversation, the gentleman 

 observed that the night was not very fine, he thought the roads across 

 the mountains were not safe to traverse at night, and therefore he 

 was of opinion they had better stay all night, an opinion in which 

 Barney perfectly coincided. Gorman said he was very glad to hear 

 it, though he did not ask them to stay at first, because they might be of 

 opinion it was for his own interest ; but after what happened a short 

 time since, he thinks he should have ventured to have done so, if 

 they had stated their intention of proceeding. The question was 

 naturally asked what had happened ? when the landlord, in a sorrow- 

 ful tone, related to them that a gentleman rode up one night, and, 

 after staying a short time, desiied to be put in the road that would 

 lead him to the " Vale of Ovoca ;" this was done, and he departed. 

 The next morning his body was found about six miles from this, with 

 several severe wounds, and his brains scattered about the road — he 

 turned out to be an exciseman, one of the superior sort. *• Ah, sir," 

 said Gorman, " you would be astonished the hatred the people bear 

 to excisemen, bailiffs, and policemen ; the Lord deliver us from ever 

 having anything to do with any of the sort." The looks that passed 

 between Barney and his mastei were quite ludicrous. 



Next moniing my Uncle rose pretty early, considering all things, 

 awoke his guests, and descended into the breakfast parlour, where he 

 called for Jem. Jem, on arriving, was asked if any appearance had 

 been put in of the sheriff's officer, and being answered in the negative, 

 my Uncle asked Jem how he was to avoid a capture. " Leave it to 

 me, yer honner," said Jem, " won't I bother him." So, accordmgly, my 



