th, anyhow."

Poll's laughter was loud and vehement on hearing these sentiments from
a man she knew so well; but, to tell the truth, Darby, who felt that, in
consequence of his last interview with Lucre, he was in for it, came to
the resolution of doing it heavy, as they say, or, in other words, of
going the whole hog.

"This appears to be a strange country, observed the traveller.

"Wait," said Poll, "till you come to know it, and you'll say that."

"No, but wait," observed Darby, "till the spread comes, and then you may
say it."

"What do you mean by the spread?" asked! the stranger.

"Why, the spread o' the gospel--of religion, to be shure," replied
Darby; "and in this counthry," he added, "a glorious spread it is,
the Lord be praised! Are you travellin far in this direction, sir, wid
summission?"

"I am going as far as Springfield, the residence of a Mr. Hickman, to
whom I have a letter of introduction. Do you know him?"

"He was an agent on this property," replied Darby; "but Mr. M'Clutchy
came afther him; and, indeed, the tenants is mighty well satisfied wid
the change. Hickman, sir, was next to a hathen--made no differ in life
between an idolather and a loyal Protestant, but Mr. M'Clutchy, on the
other hand, knows how to lean to his own, as he ought to do. And in
regard o' that, I'd advise you when you see Mr. Hickman, jist to be on
your guard as to what he may say about the Castle Cumber property,
and them that's employed an it. Between you and me, he's not over
scrupulous, and don't be surprised if he lays it hot and heavy on Mr.
M'Clutchy and others, not forgettin' your humble sarvant, merely in
regard of our honesty and loyalty, for I'm a staunch Protestant, myself,
glory be to God, and will support the Castle Cumber inthrest through
thick and thin. Now, sir," he added, "there's two ways to Hickman's; and
between you and me agin' Mr. Hickman is a real gentleman, exceptin' his
little failings about M'Clutchy; but who is widout them? I dunna, but it
would be as well if he had remained agent still; and when you see him,
if you happen to say that Darby O'Drive tould you so, I think he'll
understand you. Well--there's two ways, as I said, to this place--one by
this road, that turns to the right--which, indeed, is the shortest--the
other is by Constitution Cottage, which is M'Clutchy's place, where I am
goin' to."

The stranger, after thanking Darby for his information, took the shorter
road, and in abou