THE BALLYHILLY STEEPLECHASE 147 



word, Denis O'Grady," chimed in a burly young farmer 

 named Daly, for the ears of whom, we might be correct 

 in suggesting, the former intended his remarks, as this 

 same youthful son of the soil took a keen interest in 

 hunters, in the breeding, schooling, and selhng of which 

 he was considered equally an adept. 



" An' if I haven't good raison for my words," went on 

 Denis, addressing the interlocutor, " 'twould be sarvin 

 ye betther nor 23uttin' in your tongue to skedaddle home 

 at wanst, an' get your father to tell ye how I was the 

 favourite at the steeplechases at Loughbally before — 

 ay, before he iver dhramed that a spalpeen like you'd 

 step intil his boots." 



This latter sally, dramatically delivered by the old 

 chap as he held his dudeen in his left hand, while in his 

 right he flourished his glass, preparatory to a final quaif, 

 was followed by a peal of laughter, in which his inter- 

 rupter was forced to join. 



" Well, Denis," said Daly, " I must inquire ; an' if 

 your ivery word's not thrue, here's my hand, an' I'm 

 the man to keep you till your wager." 



" What do ye mane ? " replied O'Grady, looking 

 rather nonplussed, for he had already forgotten the 

 exact terms of his gasconade. 



" Why, ye've just sworn ye'd ride three an' a half 

 miles cross -counthry agin any man for ten miles round, 

 an' if ye're the sportsman ye swear ye are, ye won't go 

 back on your word." 



" An' bad luck to it," said Denis, " sure the only 



