arise, when, lo! he discovered that both his knees were buried at least
six inches in the solid stone; for notwithstanding all these changes, he
had never altered his devout position.

Cuddy was now wide awake, and felt, when he got up, his joints sadly
cramped, which it was only natural they should be, considering the hard
texture of the stone, and the depth his knees had sunk into it. The great
difficulty was, to explain how, in one night, summer had become winter--
whole woods had been cut down, and well-grown trees had sprouted up. The
miracle, nothing else could he conclude it to be, urged him to hasten his
return to Innisfallen, where he might learn some explanation of these
marvellous events.

Seeing a boat moored within reach of the shore, he delayed not, in the
midst of such wonders, to seek his own bark, but, seizing the oars, pulled
stoutly towards the island; and here new wonders awaited him.

Father Cuddy waddled, as fast as cramped limbs could carry his rotund
corporation, to the gate of the monastery, where he loudly demanded
admittance.

"Holloa! whence come you, master monk, and what's your business?" demanded
a stranger who occupied the porter's place.

"Business--my business!" repeated the confounded Cuddy, "why do you not
know me? Has the wine arrived safely?"

"Hence, fellow," said the porter's representative in a surly tone, "nor
think to impose on me with your monkish tales."