The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1915-06-26
CHAPTER XVI.


to utilize it.
CHAPTER XVI.
ALL ABOUT MUTTON.
On the twelfth day of that month my
lethargy was dissipated and at the same
time the ghost laid in singular man
ner. AS sat beside my fire, nodding as
my custom was, Twas startled into sud-
den animation by loud yet dull thud
as of some heavy body falling in the
long gallery. Snatching brand from
the fire, fastened thither, and at the
spot where the bones formerly lay and
where had discovered the brown cake
l found fat sheep lying motionless ON
the ground. I was now wide awake,
active aid even excited. When I heard
the noise, / guessed at once what caused
it. The ghost was no impeachment to
me, for it was only about 2 O'Clock in
the afternoon, and his solemn march
ings to and fro would not commence
till midnight. The sheep was quite
dead. I bled her as she lay, and though
practically ignorant of the butchers
art skinned her partially, cut out GER
tain layers from the breast, and return
ing to my fire soasted them. was not
consciously hungry and had no longing
for flesh food, but being now wide
awake and actively intelligent I knew
that meat would do me good, and that
If was not to die should eat it. The
odor and steam Of the frizzling chops,
however, at once awakened furious
appetite. ate with relish, and re-
turning to the carcass of the unfortunate
sheep hacked off two more chops, fried
and ate them. would have eaten moro
but I knew how dangerous such indul.
gence would be after long abstinence.
Then I drank copiously from that little
glitte1ing pencil of descending water t.
which have referred. used to drink
of it sometimes by the simple process
of opening my mouth to receive it, al
least when I was in good health and
spirits. Finally l filled myself pipe
of tobacco and enjoyed good smoke, /,
luxury in which had not INDUCED for
q long time. Finding myself unusually
gay and vigorous, might almost say
defiant and pugnacious. determined t;
stay awake till 70 o'clock and see wheth.
er the ghost would reappear. suspected
that my weak and nervous conditio,
had something to do with the presenc,
of the appa1ition. Twelve clock pass
ed. and l, yet saw absolutely nothin;
that night, nor did I ever afterwart
0nca pnrnoiuo oi%hor <l,,< ,rA;o,o ,,,..,
tial figure or anything at all suggestiv,
OF the uncanny and supernatural as lon;
as remained in the cave. have heart.
and read Of various methods of layin.
ghosts and exercising evil spirits. Nut
ton chops nicely broiled and eaten by
an extremely hungry man laid my ghos1
and laid him etfectually. Divine prov.
idence saved me my life or my reason
on this occasion. l don't think 1 am {;
boaster, bat from what recollectI an
convinced that if the ghost had appear
ed that night, as he had been in the hab
it Of appearing for so many nights pre-.
viously, would have confronted him,
barred his path and questioned him.
Familiarity breeds contempt. Every
night for 219 hours had been now TO,
weeks watching the steady passage Of
this sinister figure as it paced to and
fro along the north wall of the cavern.
I slept soundly that night and awoke
IN the morning alert. energetic and raw.
enous. OF course attacked the sheer
again, but what was my surprise tc
find on this occasion another great
brown cake close beside the sheep, quite
fresh and seemingly baked on the pre-.
vious day. Moving around with my
torch, I discovered half dozen others,
some of them quite stale. 1t was evi.
dent that Charley had been again al
work and seemingly now enabled. with.
out let Or hindrance. to roll me down q
cake every second day, as he had prom
ised. Having now both mutton and
bread to eat with it, I rapidly recovered
my health and strength, and the knowl-
edge that one at least of my brothers
was firmly convinced that was at the
bottom of the Devils Parlor'' filled
me again with hope. I skinned and
jointed my sheep, and collecting from,
various little hollows near the pool all
the salt procurable proceeded to corn
as much of it as it was not likely that
! should eat fresh. rubbing the salt
we'll in with my hands. AS my supply
OF salt was limited, eked it out by soak
Ing each piece of mutton in the tidai
water. After each stepping l dried til,
piece at the fire and again plunged ii
In the salt water. Between times rub
bed the salt vigorously into it. Indeed
l succeeded in preserving the Who'll,
sheep very we'll. With renewed energ,
and zeal now returned to my suspend.
ed labors at the window and worked
there with will and from early morn
ing till late at night with little inter
mission. My bread came to me as reg
ularly as it did to the prophet at tn
brook Cherith. I had bread, meat am
fish and even vegetables, if one cal
count edible seaweed as such. All was
going we'll with me. EARLY in Deem
Der my last piece of brass had worn to,
small to be of service. l melted all thu
little pieces which I had saved, made
for myself thereby very bright brand
new chisel and scored away industri
ous]y. Though knew that this tool
would not bring me to the sill, that il