what seemed a large green stone.

"Look at what a funny thing I've found!" he cried; "it's got holes in
it."

"Dhrap it!" shouted Mr Button, springing from the barrel as if
someone had stuck an awl into him. "Where'd you find it? What
d'you mane by touchin' it? Give it here."

He took it gingerly in his hands; it was a lichen-covered skull,
with a great dent in the back of it where it had been cloven by an
axe or some sharp instrument. He hove it as far as he could away
amidst the trees.

"What is it, Paddy?" asked Dick, half astonished, half frightened
at the old man's manner.

"It's nothin' good," replied Mr Button.

"There were two others, and I wanted to fetch them," grumbled
Dick.

"You lave them alone. Musha! musha! but there's been black doin's
here in days gone by. What is it, Emmeline?"

Emmeline was holding out her bunch of flowers for admiration. He
took a great gaudy blossom--if flowers can ever be called gaudy-
-and stuck its stalk in the pocket of his coat. Then he led the way
uphill, muttering as he went.