nd cunning. He entertained a great
penchant, or rather a passion for cock-fighting, and on the present
occasion carried a game one under his arm. Throughout the country no
man possessed a bird of that species, with whose pedigree he was not
thoroughly acquainted; and, truth to tell, he proved himself as great
a thief as he was a genealogist among them. Many a time the unfortunate
foxes from some neighboring cover were cursed and banned, when, if
the truth had been known, the only fox that despoiled the roost was
Raymond-na-hattha. One thing, however, was certain, that unless the
cock was thoroughly game he might enjoy his liberty and ease long enough
without molestation from Raymond. We had well nigh forgotten to say that
he wore on the right side of his topmost hat a cockade of yellow cloth,
from which two or three ribbons of a scarlet color fluttered down to his
shoulder, a bit of vanity which added very much to the fantastic nature
of his general costume.

"Ha! Raymond, my good boy," said the priest, "how does it happen
that you are so early up this stormy morning? would you not be more
comfortable in your bed?"

"Airly up," replied Raymond, "airly up! that's good--to be sure you're a
priest, but you don't know everything."

"Why, what am I ignorant of now, Raymond?"

"Why, that I didn't go to bed yet--so that it's up late, instead of
early, I am--d'ye hear? ha, ha, now take that."

"When, where, and how did you spend the night then, Raymond; but you
seem in a hurry--surely if you trot on at this fate we cannot keep up
with you." The truth is, Raymond's general rate of travelling was very
rapid. "Where did you spend the night, Raymond," continued the priest.

"Wid a set o' jolly cocks--ha, ha,--now make money of that, d'ye hear."

"You're a riddle, Raymond; you're a riddle; there's no understanding
you--where did you get the cock?--but I needn't ask; of course you stole
him."

"Then why do you ax if you think so?"

"Because you're notorious for stealing cocks--every one knows as much."

"No, never steal 'em,--fond o' me--come wid me themselves. Look." The
words were scarcely uttered when he tossed the bird up into the air, and
certainly, after flying about for a few yards, he alit, and tottering
against the wind towards Raymond, stretched out his neck, as if he
wished to be again taken up by him.

"I see," said the priest, "but answer me--where did you spend last night
now?"

"I tould you," said Raymon