'We will! we will!' resounded from all quarters. 'To Coventry with any man who dares to act otherwise.'

To Coventry with him, then!' exclaimed the aged orator, with solemn emphasis. "Tis a decision, my children, which will redound to your honour as long as the fifty-th has a leg to stand on.'

Never was a community more utterly bothered than the Loughrea people were by the tactics of the new-comers. They could make nothing of them. Instead of a crack regiment, as they were led to expect, they had got a cracked one, and, in consequence, no regiment ever excited such a sensation there before. The rejected Galwegians laughed or grumbled, according as their tastes severally inclined. The men swore, and began to look out for fight; the girls tossed their heads, and began to look out for fun; while the old ladies began to speculate whether the gentlemen of the fifty-th came into the world at all like other people. Everything about them became a mystery, and an object for rumour to dilate upon. Some said they spent their time washing their white gloves; others, that their evenings were occupied in putting their hair into curl-papers, and their mornings in taking them out; while some were credulous enough to believe that they dispelled their ennui by dressing dolls. There was no end to the odd stories which were afloat about them; and of course some of them reached the ears of the parties themselves, and wrought in them no great satisfaction. Slander, it was evident, was busy; but to take any formal notice of her efforts would have been most decidedly beneath the regimental dignity, at the same time that they all felt they could no longer afford to treat these efforts with silent contempt Some practical refutation was thus the only thing to be thought of; but of what nature that should be was a matter requiring more than ordinary consideration.

It was recollected, at length, that two of the corps were crack shots, as deadly visitants as ever disturbed the repose of a pheasantry, or stopped the flight of a partridge. Now, it was evident that if Lieutenants Meredith and Lister were to go forth on a shooting excursion in the face of the whole country, the imputations against the manhood and manliness of the fifty-th would be most necessarily repelled, and a very good foundation for respect laid in their stead; since it was clear that if a man is marksman enough to wing a wild duck, à fortiori he could wing a country gentleman, if driven to it. It was a happy thought, and was put into execution accordingly.

On a lovely morning in January these two officers accordingly went out armed cap-à-pie, and prepared to retrieve the honour of the body to which they belonged. Not a regiment in the line but might have accepted them for its champions. From their neckcloths to their shoeties they were unexceptionable, nay, fitted to sit for pictures of the sporting fashions. The ladies looked at them, and sighed over their exclusiveness; the gentlemen looked at them, and stuck their tongues in their jaws; but my two heroes stalked haughtily on, unmoved by either sex, and, snipe being their object, took that direction which seemed to them most favourable.

Not being so well versed in the geography of the country as they might have been were they but a little more social, Lieutenant Meredith and his comrade had but a toilsome and rather unprofitable walk of it, notwithstanding their well-tried prowess. In fact, noon was approaching; and as yet they had gained nothing but a pretty accurate

knowledge of the soundings of several of the bogholes. To return would have been exceedingly desirable, but to return empty was out of the question for, whatever little commiseration they might receive in the barracks, it was but too certain that among the townsfolk their illsuccess would be a standing joke for a twelvemonth and altogether they began to conceive that it would have been far more conducive to the regimental dignity and their own in particular, had they contented themselves to remain within their sanctuary, and leave Galway boys and Galway snipe to those whose nature it was to understand them

better.

While they were in this desponding mood, a ray of hope, however, beamed on them which made their bosoms swell, and almost enabled them to fancy they could see their game-bags swelling too. Just on the verge of the bog through which they were floundering, and at no great distance, they could observe a swamp sheltered by thick plantations, and clothed here and there with cozy thickets of snug furze, while pools of water interspersed here and there made it a spot that a snipe or widgeon of any taste might be content to live and die in. There were cabins too, adjacent, and smoke, moreover, curling out of the holes in the roofs,-a sight that of itself warmed the hearts of the poor exquisites, for, silly creatures! they had brought nothing out with them to keep their noses warm, but a thimbleful or two of sherry, or some such delicate stuff,-and what was that on a Galway bog, and during the reign of a nor'-easter. Right a-head, then, in the direction of the land of promise they wended their way, and after a few small mishaps, of which, however, they had learned to think less than they had at first, they succeeded in reaching the desired locality.

'I say, Meredith, this place looks devilish like a preserve,' remarked Lieutenant Lister, as he looked about him; take care; are we trespassing, old boy?'

'Pooh!' rejoined the other, as he flung away his cigar, and prepared for action, they 're not up to that kind of thing at all hereabouts. Bless your soul! my dear fellow, the Galway people never preserve anything, nor will they probably these hundred years. It's all slap away, and no questions asked.'

'Here goes then, for a beginning,' exclaimed the inquirer,slapping away at a snipe which rose screaming within twenty yards of him; another, startled by this report, followed, and received the charge of his second barrel. His example was almost simultaneously followed by Meredith, with equal success, -for two brace of plump birds lay sprawling on the turf, the first fruits of their labours. The two officers laughed cheerily at one another while they bagged the produce, reckoning no doubt within themselves on compensating their patience now for all they had suffered in the early part of the day; in fact, so pleasantly were they occupied, that, until he was already within a few yards of them, they never observed a figure that was strolling towards them, attracted by their shots.

The gamekeeper, by Jove!' exclaimed Lister, pointing him out to his companion.

The individual so designated was rather a curious specimen of the human race, let his calling be what it might. Huntsman or groom he couldn't be, for he was too awkward; nor butler, for he was too dirty and yet, the laziness of his gait, as well as the peculiarity of his garb, announced him to be a domestic of some kind or other; so that, al

though unmarked by a single trace of the profession, it was more than probable Lister's hypothesis was correct. He might be a poor relation, converted into a very so-so gamekeeper; for want of a more suitable avocation. He carried a rakish look of consequence about him; his clothes were such as when new were above the common, and the fellow wore them as though he had helped to take the gloss off them himself: one of his eyes had a most expressive, though not very ornamental leer, and there was a twist in his mouth that seemed to betray a habit of saying what he liked, where he liked, and when he liked. He was rather tall, and had a considerable slouch in his shoulders, which, however, could not be the effect of age, for he appeared scarcely fifty, and was airy enough to be ten years younger; he wore a battered grey bat very much on one side, a green frock-coat with brass hunting-buttons, and drab inexpressibles, with gaiters in continuation, completed his suit. Such was the figure whose untoward appearance disturbed the composure of the two officers.

Your servant, gentlemen,-your servant,' said he when he came within sufficient distance. Good sport, I warrant; Cloughmore's just the place for it.'

'Why, ye-as,' drawled out Meredith, determining to brazen out his trespass, and at all events reassured by the amicable manner of the supposed official, 'It's not so bad. Pray, whose property is it?'

6

Whose property is it!' repeated the new-comer; bedad, that's a puzzling question to ask about any property hereabouts. Minor Bodkin says it's his; but then—

It's more likely it belongs to his creditors, you'd say,' rejoined Lister, supplying the aposiopesis.

Right!' exclaimed the communicative informant, leering at him with a most comical expression of approbation of his shrewdness; and then, you know, if he has no creditors now, it's to be hoped he will, if he lives, and has any luck.'

Ι

'You're a gamekeeper, I presume,' remarked Meredith carelessly. 'Aye, and fifty things besides,' answered the new-comer. Jack of-all-trades, and able for anything about a gentleman's house but hard work.'

'Then, as the gentleman's a minor, I suppose the game's not very closely looked after,' said Meredith, coming at once to business. Why,' replied the other, he's particular enough of himself; and bedad! he's very 'cute of his age. People say he's as knowing as a pet fox.'

'Indeed,' said the officer drily, yet you look very like a customer that would occasionally work a little on the sly for your own account, eh ?'

เ

Thiggum,' quoth the gamekeeper, responding with a wink, and slapping the blind side of his nose with his finger.

"Pon my soul, no one could blame you,' continued the officer, with affected commiseration. You look as if you were all your life on

monkey's allowance.'

Never a more; I have but the run of the house,' replied the other, forrear that it isn't better. What would I do, only that now and then I meet with a gentleman?'

The two officers forthwith produced their purses, and, in spite of the coy reluctance and earnest remonstrance of the blushing official, a very smart douceur was forced on his acceptance.

'Bedad!' said the sly rogue, 'it's not every day I meet with the likes of your honours. Won't ye often come this way?'

That's according to what sport we meet,' answered Meredith.

By the powers, then, if I don't show you as much as you like, ye're hard to be plased!' exclaimed the gamekeeper. To the d-l with Minor Bodkin! I'm your honour's humble servant for the day.'

Much obliged,' replied the officer. 'And pray what name shall we call you?'

My name's Malachi, at your service,' answered he, with a low bow.

6

Malachi what?' demanded the inquisitive Lieutenant.

Why, my mother was a Brimmajem,' replied the gamekeeper, looking down, and apparently a little embarrassed by the question. Oh! I see, I see!' exclaimed Lister knowingly. 6 Then, for fear of mistakes, we'll call you Mr. Malachi Brimmajem.'

That's just as your honour plases,' answered he of the dubious name; and all the preliminaries being thus settled, to work they went like men that had lost too much time already.

It was not long before the two sportsmen became actually glutted with the ravages they committed among the feathered denizens of Cloughmore, under the practised guidance of their obsequious attendant. At last, by some mischance or other, two of the best birds they had shot during the day took it into their heads to tumble into a broad but shallow pool, on the brink of which they were flushed.

What the deuce shall we do now?' exclaimed Lister. 'Pity to lese such a splendid brace.'

Come, Mr. Malachi,' said Meredith, no help for it, you see. You must only peel off, and retrieve them for us. Beg pardon, and all that, but what can we do?'

Malachi cocked his eye at the speaker with a most comical expression,-it almost looked like defiance, but it melted away gradually into something more good-humoured.

• Murder!' said he, is it into the could water?'

Pooh! you won't be up to your knees. There-I knew you'd be obliging. Well, who'd ever think you had such a handsome pair of pins? Positively I envy you. In with you now, my buck, and 'twill be all over before you could sound a tattoo. Devilish sorry we've nothing to give you to drink,' continued he, while the shivering gamekeeper was resuming his clothes; the flask is dry as a powderhorn.'

It's lucky for me, then, that there's a drop in my own,' he answered, producing it, some of the Minor's own favourite drink. May be your honours would like to taste it;' and pouring out a portion of it into the cap of the flask, he handed it to Meredith. The officer put it to his nose.

Very peculiar bouquet, and not disagreeable,' said he, handing it to Lister.

Rather agreeable, I should say,' replied the latter, after trying it by a similar test; and he handed it back, but with a very unwilling hand. I think I had better try what taste it has,' said Lieutenant Mere

dith.

Wonderful!' exclaimed the militaire, after making the experi ment; and, panting for breath, he held the bewitching cup to Lister. 'Glorious!' echoed the other, smacking his lips, while a wholesome tinge of red began to creep over his blue physiognomy. What

is it made of?'

Devil a thing in it but potheen,' replied the gamekeeper; and sure enough it deserves all you could say of it. And, in proof of the high opinion he had of its merits, he emptied the flask at a draught, and straightway was himself again.

By Jove! I'm tired shooting these little things,' exclaimed Lieutenant Lister, with a yawn, after he bagged the recovered birds. 'Don't you think, Meredith, we've just room for a hare each, if we could meet one?'

'Right, faith! I never thought of that,' rejoined Meredith. 'Come, Malachi-'

Oh tut, tut, gentlemen!' cried the gamekeeper, evidently horrified at the proposal, it mustn't be thought of The whole barony would rise against you for shooting a hare in a hunting country. The like never was heard of 'twould be regular pot-hunting.'

'Pshaw! do you imagine we care a pin for what your Connaught squires think'? replied the officer contemptuously. Let them grin and bear it.'

'Well, by all that's beautiful, Minor Bodkin would almost as soon you'd shoot a sheep,' pleaded the gamekeeper. Thunder and turf! haven't ye enough of his game already?'

To the d-I with Minor Bodkin,' coolly rejoined Lieutenant

Lister.

Oh dear! oh dear! what will become of me?' exclaimed Malachi. 'Ye'll bring me to the gallows before ye've done with me.'

'Never fear, man,' replied the tempter; 'twill be half a guinea in your way; and you may have our words of honour that we'll never 'peach.'

'Oh, ay,' said Malachi, there's no knowing how slily it might come out when you'd be sitting over a tumbler with the Minor.'

'Per Bacco! that's a good one!' cried the officers with a roar of laughter, elicited by the bare idea of such a horrible possibility.

I don't think I'd be right to trust ye,' remarked Malachi, in a dubious tone.

'Nonsense!-to be sure you will,' said Meredith. 'Aren't you trusting us all day?'

'Well, head or harp, then, for it,' groaned the afflicted man, pulling out a half-crown.

'Head' cried Meredith, and head it was; so all excuse was removed, and shouldering their Mantons, they followed their guide into the plantations in search of poor pussy.

The brace of hares was soon found and disposed of, and the additional weight of the game-bags in consequence began to admonish the officers that it was time for them to return to their quarters, which they were shocked to find, on inquiry, were now close on eight miles distant, allowing for short cuts. How to reach Loughrea became, accordingly, a question of no slight importance to them, jaded and hea vy laden as they were; but never were men so stupid; Malachi found it impossible to make them understand the route he was recommending them to take.

'Stay, now,' said he, after scratching his head for some time, in