MONNEHAN. 163 



here an' get a look at 'im! Thot's vaght 

 Oi got up 'ere fur, to get a good look at 

 'im! Right up now, byes, an' get a good 

 look at 'im! Look out fur me hat there!" 



My brother hastily ran and got and 

 handed me the gun and instantly was up 

 the tree along with Monnehan, peering for- 

 ward and back, left and right, everywhere. 

 But no sign, no sound or scent of any bear 

 anywhere. 



By this time my father had arrived with 

 his pitchfork and a very tired little boy. 

 Me sat down on the grass, and, wearily 

 wiping his forehead, he said to Monnehan, 



"Mr. Monnehan, how big was the bear 

 that you saw?" 



"Well, now, Squire, upon the sowl o' me, 

 he was fully the size of a very extraordi- 

 nary black dog," answered Mr. Monnehan, 

 as he descended and came and stood close 

 to my father, as if to defend him with his 

 club. Father rose soon after and, with 

 just the least tinge of impatience and vex- 



