think the place belonged to them. That was what deceived me, and others beside me. When I saw them so much at home in Dermot's house I had no distrust of them. They took a splendid colt from me. I would have been well pleased to get thirty pounds for him. When I heard of all the excitement, and the big sums of money being given for anything in the shape of a horse, I was astonished. I heard people saying that they were only buyers; that they had the King's money; that they got it easily and were spending it easily. I said to myself, of course, that I might as well have my pull out of it, as I had got the chance. I asked sixty pounds. I got it at once. A pocket full of little leaden plates! They have ruined me! My fine brave colt, after I had spent the year feeding him! If I had not seen them so much at home at Grey Dermot's house they would not have played that trick on me."
"That's the talk!" said another, with passion in his voice. "They played the same trick on me, and but for Grey Dermot and Sive they couldn't have done it."
"All the more misfortune to Dermot," said Shiana, "since he did not look before him. They have made beggars of him and of Sive." And he told them the whole story from beginning to end, just as it had taken place.
"The fact of the matter is," said he, "I fear it will break Dermot's heart, if it has not already done so, and that poor Sive will go stark mad. Three hundred pounds! All that the pair had ever saved! I do not remember such an act of plunder. I do not know in the world what they will do."
"By the deer!" said the owner of the colt, "bad
