LAUNCHING THE BOAT. _ "3

beautiful swans at Castle Clonmarthige,” said
Pat. “Honey, do you know how to row?”

“To be sure I do,” replied Tom. “I have
rowed on the mill-pond ever since I was knee
high to a grasshopper, and I can swim like a
fish ; so there’s no danger, Mr. Malony. Good
bye,” and Tom slipped into Pat’s hand a
sixpence. It was all the money the boy had
in the world. |

“ No, no; do ye mean to insult me!” said
Pat; “ botheration! can’t I do ye a kindness
without takin’ your bit o’ money. Let me
see you sitting up crank in your boat, and then
I’m off.”

He untied the rope, snatched up Bessie and
lifted her in. Tom seized the oars and sprang
in, after her. Pat gave Bessie directions how
to sit in the right place; then he shoved the
boat, and off she went. Tom worked the oars
like a real sailor, and shouted back “ Hurra !”
to Pat, who swung his old blue cap, and made
the woods ring with “Hurra! Hurra! Hurra !”