ileen aroon!
What should her lover do?
Eileen aroon!
Fly with his broken chain,
Far o'er the bounding main,
Never to love again,
Eileen aroon!"

Willie made no reply. He evidently meant to secure what sleep there was
to be had, and as Dennis did not seem in the mood for discussing our
prospects as seamen, I turned into my hammock and pulled it well round
my ears to keep out bats, night-moths, and the like.

It was thus that I failed at first to hear when Dennis began to talk to
somebody out of the window. But when I lifted my head I could hear what
he said, and from the context I gathered that the other speaker was no
less than Alister, who, having taken his sleep early in the night, was
now refreshing himself by a stroll at dawn. That they were squabbling
with unusual vehemence was too patent, and I was at once inclined to lay
the blame on Dennis, who ought, I felt, to have been brimming over with
generous sympathy, considering how comfortable we had been, and poor
Alister had not. But I soon discovered that the matter was no personal
one, being neither more nor less than an indignant discussion as to
whether the air which Dennis was singing was "Scotch" or "Irish." As I
only caught the Irish side of the argument, I am not qualified to
pronounce any opinion.

"Of course facts are facts, no one denies that. And it's likely enough
your grandmother sang 'Robin Adair' to it, and your great-grandmother
too, rest her soul! But it would take an uncommonly _great-grandmother_
of mine to have sung it when it was new, for it's one of the oldest of
old Irish airs."

* * * * *

"Stole it of course! as they did plenty more in those times--cattle and
what not. I'd forgive them the theft, if they hadn't spoilt the tune
with a nasty jerk or two that murders the tender grace of it intirely."

* * * * *

"Alister, me boy! You're not going? Ye're not cross, are ye? Faith, I'd
give my life for ye, but I can't give ye Eileen aroon. Come in and have
some swizzle! We're in the height of luxury here, and hospitality as
well, and you'll be as welcome as daylight."

* * * * *

"Up so late? Up so early you mean! Ah, don't put on that air of
incorruptible morality. Wait now till I get in on the one side of my
ham