into ships, or the spiders' webs big enough for veils, the people was persuaded by a traveller to let him build them an umbrella, that should be large enough to keep the rain off every inch of the country; and it was to be so contrived that they could let it down by machinery, if the land wanted water, and put it up when they'd just as much wet as they liked. Now this was so great an insult to St. Swithin, that he began raining at once, and before they could put up their umbrella, dispersed the whole people;--making the country a bog, as you see it; and never ceasing to pelt away with his little pellets of water, from that day to this. But though they were scattered, the boobies wasn't destroyed. You may find some of their descendants in every corner of the world, who are as staunch believers in blarney, as ever their forefathers were in the days of ould Ounshough the king.--Isn't that a fine story for you, now, such a murdering wet evening as this?” “Bathershin, man!” says the gentleman, with a sneer of contempt; “call it a lie, and give me the bottle, for I'm cold after it.” “Don't you believe it, then?” “How could I,” says the gentleman, “when it's lies, and you know it?” “Then sorrow the sup out of my bottle you get, sir, and sorrow the step goes the garron, until you believe it. Arrah! Rory,--pturr-r!” “Pturr-r!” roared Rory, at the top of his voice, and stock-still stood the horse, as in duty bound. “Is it quite mad you are, you dirty blackguard?” says the gentleman. “Blackguard your betters!” says Corney: “Musha! then, if the likes o' you was rolled in the bog, what harm?--You couldn't be worse than you were; for it's dirt itself you are!--I'll say that for you, since you put me up.” “Ar'n't you an impertinent ould scoundrel?” “No doubt I am; but the garron don't stir one of his four pegs till you believe what I tould you, while ago, for all that. I won't ride with a man if there's such a difference of opinion betuxt us.” “Don't you see the rain how it pours?” “Do you think I'm blind?--or that I can't feel the water running in channels down the wet back o' me?--But I'd weather the rain like a duck, in a good cause; and it's promoting concord I am, betwxt myself and one that's ungrateful and don't mind me, at this moment.” The piper was obstinate; and after awhile, the gentleman was obliged to say he did'nt think the story a lie. It was then, only, that he got a sup of the whiskey; and Corney gave the garron a hint with his wooden leg, to be going.