"Well, Ned," said Dick, "as you agree to _do_ the Englishman, Murphy will be a grand help to us; it is the very thing he will have his heart in. Murtough will be worth his weight in gold to us; I will ride over to him and bring him back with me to spend the day here; and you, in the mean time, can put every one about the house on their guard not to spoil the fun by letting the cat out of the bag too soon; we'll _shake her_ ourselves in good time, and maybe we won't have fun in the hunt!" "You're right, Dick. Murphy is the very man for our money. Do you be off for him, and I will take care that all shall be right at home here." In ten minutes more Dick was in his saddle, and riding hard for Murtough Murphy's. A good horse and a sharp pair of spurs were not long in placing him _vis-a-vis_ with the merry attorney, whom he found in his stable-yard up to his eyes in business with some ragged country fellows, the majority of whom were loud in vociferating their praises of certain dogs; while Murtough drew from one of them, from time to time, a solemn assurance, given with many significant shakes of the head, and uplifting of hands and eyes, "that was the finest badger in the world!" Murtough turned his head on hearing the rattle of the horse's feet, as Dick the Devil dashed into the stable-yard, and with a view-halloo welcomed him. "You're just in time, Dick. By the powers! we'll have the finest day's sport you've seen for some time." "I think we shall," said Dick, "if you come with me." "No; but you come with me," said Murtough. "The grandest badger-fight, sir." "Pooh!" returned Dick; "I've better fun for you." He then told them of the accident that conveyed their political enemy into their toils; "and the beauty of it is," said Dick, "that he has not the remotest suspicion of the condition he's in, and fancies himself able to buy and sell all Ireland--horse-dealers and attorneys included." "That's elegant!" said Murphy. "He's come to enlighten us, Murtough," said Dick. "And maybe, we won't return the compliment," said Murtough. "Just let me put on my boots. Hilloa, you Larry! saddle the grey. Don't you cut the pup's ears till I come home! and if Mr. Ferguson sends over for the draft of the lease, tell him it won't be ready till to-morrow. Molly! Molly! where are you, you old divil? Sew on that button for me--I forgot to tell you yesterday--make haste! I won't delay you a moment, Dick. Stop a minute, though. I say, Lanty Houligan--mind, on your peril, you old vagabone, don't let them fight that badger without me. Now, Dick, I'll be with you in the twinkling of a bedpost, and _do_ the Englishman, and that smart! Bad luck to their conceit! they think we can do nothing regular in Ireland."