mudher, _the storm was in the fire_* last night when I was
rakin' it."

* This is a singular phenomenon, which, so far as I am
aware, has never yet been noticed by any Irish or Scotch
writers when describing the habits and usages of the people
in either country. When stirring the _greeshaugh_, or red-
hot ashes, at night at the settling, or mending, or Taking
of the fire, a blue, phosphoric-looking light is distinctly
visible in the embers, and the more visible in proportion to
the feebleness of the light emitted by the fire. It is only
during certain states of the atmosphere that this is seen.
It is always considered as as prognostic of severe weather,
and its appearance is termed as above.

"Then we'll have rough weather," said his father; "no doubt of that."

"Don't be afeard," said Barney, laughing; "take my word for it, if
there's to be rough weather, and that some witch or wizard has broken
bargain with the devil, the misthress has intherest to get it put off
till the bonfire's over."

He then bade them good-by, and took his departure to fulfil his
agreeable and welcome mission. Indeed, he spent the greater portion of
the day not only in going among the tenants in person, but in sending
the purport of the said mission to be borne upon the four winds of
heaven through every quarter of the barony; after which he proceeded to
the little market-town of Rathfillan, where he secured the services of
two fiddlers and two pipers. This being accomplished, he returned home
to his master's, ripe and ready for both dinner and supper; for, as he
had missed the former meal, he deemed it most judicious to kill, as he
said, the two birds with one stone, by demolishing them both together.

CHAPTER V. The Bonfire--The Prodigy.

Andy Davoren's prognostic, so far as the appearance of the weather went,
seemed, at a first glance, to be literally built on ashes. A calm, mild,
and glorious serenity lay upon the earth; the atmosphere was clear and
golden; the light of the sun shot in broad, transparent beams across
the wooded valleys, and poured its radiance upon the forest tops, which
seemed empurpled with its rich and glowing tones. All the usual signs
of change! or rough weather were wanting. Everything was quiet; and a
general stillness was abroad, which, when a sound did occur, caused
it to be heard at an unusual distance. Not a breath of air stirred the
trees, whic