J. F. Campbell Collection > Fireside stories of Ireland

JACK THE CUNNING THIEF. 4 1
ing into the bawn they couldn't help shouting out, " Jack
must be our chief." So there was nothing but feasting and
drinking hand to fist the rest of the day. Before they went
to bed, they showed Jack the cave where their money was
hid, and all their disguises in another cave, and swore obe-
dience to him.
One morning when they were at breakfast, about a week
after, said they to Jack, " Will you mind the house for us
to-day while we are at the fair of Mochurry ] We hadn't
a spree for ever so long : you must get your turn whenever
you like." " Xever say't twice," says Jack, and off they
went. After they were gone says Jack to the wicked house-
keeper, " Do these fellows ever make you a present?" "Ah
catch them at it ! indeed an' they don't, purshuin to 'em."
"Well, come along with me, and I'll make you a rich wo-
man." He took her to the treasure cave ; and while she
was in raptures, gazing at the heaps of gold and silver, Jack
filled his pockets as full as they could hold, put more into
a little bag, and walked out, locking the door on the old
hag, and leaving the key in the lock. He then put on a
rich suit of clothes, took the goat, and the wether, and the
bullock, and drove them before him to the farmer's house.
Joan and her husband were at the door; and when they
saw the animals, they clapped their hands and laughed for
joy. "Do you know who owns them bastes, neighbours'?"
"Maybe we don't! sure they're ours." "I found them
straying in the wood. Is that bag with ten guineas in it
that's hung round the goat's neck yours V " Faith it isn't."
" Well, you may as well keep it for a Godsend ; I don't want
it. Banacht Hath." "Heavens be in your road, good
gentleman ! "
Jack travelled on till he came to his father's house in the
dusk of the evening. He went in. " God save all here ! "
" God save you kindly, sir ! " " Could I have a night's lodg-
ing here ! " " Oh, sir, our place isn't fit for the likes of a gen-
tleman such as you." " Oh, musha, don't yous know your own
son 1 " Well they opened their eyes, and it was only a strife
to see who'd have him in their arms first. " But, Jack
asthore, where did you get the fine clothes 1 " Oh, you
may as well ask me where I got all that money ? " said he,