out twenty minutes' walking, we got up to the house, and when
poor Darby opened the door, I thought he 'd faint; for, you see, the red
coats made him think it was the army, coming to take me away; and he was
for running off to raise the country, when I caught him by the neck.

'"It's the Blazers, ye old fool!" said I, "The gentlemen are come to
dine here."

'"Hurroo!" said he, clapping his hands on his knees--"there must be
great distress entirely, down about Nenagh, and them parts, or they'd
never think of coming up here for a bit to eat."

'"Which way lie the stables, Bob?" said Burke.

'"Leave all that to Darby," said I; for ye see he had only to whistle
and bring up as many people as he liked. And so he did too; and as there
was room for a cavalry regiment, the horses were soon bedded down and
comfortable; and in ten minutes' time we were all sitting pleasantly
round a big fire, waiting for the rashers and eggs.

'"Now, if you'd like to wash your hands before dinner, Lambert, come
along with me."

'"By all means," said he.

'The others were standing up too; but I observed that as the house was
large, and the ways of it unknown to them, it was better to wait till
I'd come back for them.

'"This was a real piece of good-luck, Bob," said Dan, as he followed me
upstairs. "Capital quarters we've fallen into; and what a snug bedroom
ye have here."

'"Yes," said I carelessly; "it's one of the small rooms. There are eight
like this, and five large ones, plainly furnished, as you see; but for
the present, you know----"

'"Oh, begad! I wish for nothing better. Let me sleep here--the other
fellows may care for your four-posters with satin hangings."

'"Well," said I, "if you are really not joking, I may tell you that the
room is one of the warmest in the house"--and this was telling no lie.

'"Here I 'll sleep," said he, rubbing his hands with satisfaction, and
giving the bed a most affectionate look. "And now let us join the rest."

'When I brought Dan down, I took up Burke, and after him M'Mahon, and so
on to the last; but every time I entered the parlour, I found them all
bestowing immense praises on my house, and each fellow ready to bet he
had got the best bedroom.

'Dinner soon made its appearance; for if the cookery was not very
perfect, it was at least wonderfully expeditious. There were two men
cutting rashers, two more frying them in the pan, and another did
nothing but break the eggs, Darby running