Accordingly, about eight o'clock in the morning they
heard the little fellow in his hi^est key whistling up
that well-known and very significant oW. Irish air called
" Go to the devil and shake yourself " — whidi in this
case was aj^lied to the gauger in anything but an
allegorical sense.
" Be the pins," which was George's usual oath — " be
the pins, Mickey, it's over with us — ^Pentiand's here,
for there's th« sign."

Mickey paused for a moment and listened very
gravely ; then squirting out a tobacco spittle, " Take
it easy," said he ; "I have half-a-dozen fires about the
hills, any one as like this as your right hand is to your
left. I didn't spare trouble, for I knew that if we'd get
over this day, we'd be out of his power."

" Well, my good lad," said Pentland, addressing the
vidette, " what's this fire for ? "

" What is it for, is it ? "

" Yes ; if you don't let me know instantly I'll blow
your brains out, and get you hanged and transported
afterwards."

This he said with a thundering voice, cocking a large
horse pistol at the same time.
" Why, sir," said the boy, " it's watchin' a still I am ;
but be the hole o' ray coat if you tell upon me, it's broilin'
upon these coals I'll be soon."

" Where is the still, then ? An' the still-house,
where is it ? "



196 CARLETON'S TRArTS AND STORIES.
