e tithe
to be achieved, as an appropriate addition to the "Devil's Bit."

The procession now moved onward, and, as it proceeded, its numbers were
considerably augmented. Its approach was looked for by a scout on
every successive hill it came within sight of, and a wild halloo, or
the winding of a cow's horn immediately succeeded, which called forth
scores of fresh attendants upon "the berrin." Thus, their numbers were
increased every quarter of a mile they went, until, on their arriving
at the foot of the hill which they were to ascend, to reach their final
destination, the multitude assembled presented a most imposing
appearance. In the course of their march, the great point of
attraction for the young men and women was the cart that bore the piper
and fiddler, and the road was rather danced than walked over in this
quarter. The other distinguished portion of the train was where the
two tithe proctors played their parts of chief mourners. They were the
delight of all the little ragged urchins in the country; the half-naked
young vagabonds hung on their flanks, plucked at their vestments, made
wry faces at them, called them by many ridiculous names, and an
occasional lump of clay was slily flung at their mitres, which were too
tempting a "cock shot" to be resisted. The multitude now wound up the
hill, and the mingling of laughter, of singing, and shouting, produced
a wild compound of sound, that rang far and wide. As they doubled an
angle in the road, which opened the Devil's Bit full upon their view,
they saw another crowd assembled there, which consisted of persons from
the other side of the hills, who could not be present at the breakfast,
nor join the procession, but who attended upon the spot where the
interment was to take place. As soon as the approach of the funeral
train was perceived from the top of the hill, the mass of people there
sent forth a shout of welcome, which was returned by those from below.

Short space now served to bring both parties together, and the digging
of a grave did not take long with such a plenty of able hands for the
purpose. "Come, boys," said Larry Lanigan to two or three of his
companions, "while they are digging the grave here, we'll go cut some
sods to put over it when the thievin' tithe is buried; not for any
respect I have for it in particlar, but that we may have the place
smooth and clane to dance over aftherwards; and may I never shuffle the
brogue again, if myself