e,
fair, and see will ye say it again."

"If you won't join the cause, you mustn't be bringing bad blood among
us," cried the leader, in a determined tone; "there's many a brave boy
here to-night would give his right hand to get the offer you did."

"I'm ready--here I am, ready now," shouted Owen wildly; "tell me what you
want me to do, and see whether I will or no."

A cheer broke from the crowd at these words, and all within his reach
stretched out their hands to grasp Owen's; and commendations were poured
on him from every side.

Meanwhile Heffernan and his companion had cleared the little crypt of
its former occupants, and having heaped fresh wood upon the fire, sat
down before the blaze, and called out for Owen to join them. Owen took
another draught from one of the many bottles offered by the bystanders,
and hastened to obey the summons.

"Stand back now, and don't speak a word," cried the leader, keeping off
the anxious crowd that pressed eagerly forward to witness the game; the
hushed murmuring of the voices shewing how deeply interested they felt.

The three players bent their heads forward as they sat, while Heffernan
spoke some words in a low whisper, to which the others responded by
a muttered assent. "Well, here's success to the undhertakin' anyhow,"
cried he aloud, and filling out a glass of whisky, drank it off; then
passing the liquor to the two others, they followed his example.

"Will ye like to deal, Owen?" said M'Guire; "you're the new-comer, and
we'll give ye the choice."

"No, thank ye, boys," said Owen; "do it yerselves, one of ye; I'm sure
of fair play."

Heffernan then took the cards, and wetting his thumb for the convenience
of better distributing them, slowly laid five cards before each player;
he paused for a second before he turned the trump, and in a low voice
said: "If any man's faint-hearted, let him say it now--"

"Turn the card round, and don't be bothering us," cried M'Guire; "one
'ud think we never played a game before."

"Come, be alive," said Owen, in whom the liquor had stimulated the
passion for play.

"What's the thrump--is it a diamond? look over and tell us," murmured
the crowd nearest the entrance.

"'Tis a spade!--I lay fourpence 'tis a spade!"

"Why wouldn't it be?" said another; "it's the same spade will dig
Lucas's grave this night!"

"Look! see!" whispered another, "Owen Connor's won the first thrick!
Watch him now! Mind the way he lays the card down, w