son; "the divil thrust any man that didn't switch the primer (* take and
oath) for it, though he is my father; but now, boys, that the coast's
clear, and all safe--where will we get a schoolmaster? Mat Kavanagh
won't budge from the Scanlon boys, even if we war to put our hands
undher his feet; and small blame to him--sure, you would not expect him
to go against his own friends?"

"Faith, the gorsoons is in a bad state," said Murphy; "but, boys where
will we get a man that's up? Why I know 'tis betther to have anybody nor
be without one; but we might kill two birds wid one stone--if we could
get a masther that would carry 'Articles,'* an' swear in the boys, from
time to time--an' between ourselves, if there's any danger of the hemp,
we may as well lay it upon strange shoulders."

* A copy of the Whiteboy oath and regulations.

"Ay, but since Corrigan swung for the Aagint," replied Delaney, "they're
a little modest in havin' act or part wid us; but the best plan is to
get an advartisement wrote out, an' have it posted on the chapel door."

This hint was debated with much earnestness; but as they were really
anxious to have a master--in the first place, for the simple purpose of
educating their children; and in the next, for filling the situation of
director and regulator of their illegal Ribbon meetings--they determined
on penning an advertisement, according to the suggestion of Delaney.
After drinking another bottle, and amusing themselves with some further
chat, one of the Dolans undertook to draw up the advertisement, which
ran as follows:--

"ADVARTAAISEMENT."