Page:Shiana - Peadar Ua Laoghaire.djvu/290

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276
SHIANA

me 'the little yellow shoemaker with the malvogue,' before all the people, and you will be watching me, unknown to me, day and night, to see when I may make some mistake. I have had enough of that sort of bargain."

"Let us put it in the bargain that I shall not come near you at all during the time," said the Black Man.

"Nor any one from you," said Shiana.

"Nor any one from me," said the Black Man.

"And that I shall have power to make any use I like of the money," said Shiana.

"Make any use you choose of it," said the Black Man. "Buy all the cows and horses at all the fairs in Ireland with it, if you like."

"And that I shall put the virtue of the Holy Things upon you, just as you did upon me," said Shiana.

"I am satisfied," said the Black Man.

"Say, 'Be it a bargain,'" said Shiana.

"Be it a bargain," said the Black Man.

"By the virtue of the Holy Things," said Shiana.

"By the virtue of the Holy Things," said the Black Man.

My dear people! No sooner was that word out of the Black Man's mouth than he was up out of the chair with his two hands stretched out to seize upon Shiana.

"My fine fellow," said he, "I said I would not come, but I did not say that I would go!"

Well became Shiana, he drew his right hand out of his bosom, with the jewel in it, and he held up the hand against his foe.

"The Sign of the Cross of the Crucifixion between