A PHIEST IN DANGER. 261 



Mac Currochy tied burning pitch and tow to the head of 

 an arrow, and firing it into the roof, set the place in flames. 

 The young man endeavoured to escape by swimming, but 

 an arrow from the ruffian's bow pierced his heart just as he 

 was reaching the shore. 



Mac Currochy 's shieling was without a door or window, 

 and he entered by a hole in the roof, from which he would 

 occasionally take a shot at a passing traveller. It is 

 reported of him, that when walking with his son, a mere 

 boy, on the banks of the river Hope, they saw a neighbour- 

 ing priest on the opposite side of the river ; young Mac 

 Currochy exclaimed, 



" O, daddy, give me your bow that I may bring down 

 the priest." 



" He is at too great a distance from you," said the 

 father, "and you would get us into trouble, if you 

 attempted to kill him without succeeding." 



The priest, unconscious of his danger, approached 

 nearer the river, and seated himself on a projecting stone. 



" Now, daddy," said the youngster, " give me the 

 bow, as I am certain I can hit him." 



But the old man, still doubtful of his son's success, and 

 expecting to obtain a nearer aim, refused tnis second 

 request also. When the priest moved off, the boy insisted 

 upon being permitted to shoot at the stone upon which he 

 had been sitting; and having hit it with an arrow the 

 very first trial, Mac Currochy complained bitterly of 

 his want of judgment, in having resisted his son's desire, 

 and d d himself "for vexing the boy's spirit." 



Mac Currochy was master of a gun, which, along with 

 his bow, he is said to have thrown into a deep cavity 



s s 



