"Your Riverence, in troth, only speaks in razon; but you know, your
Riverence, that Pat can no more forego his joke at all, at all, let bide
what may, than can Justice Jokum his pun, which he cracks while
the rope is fairly cracking the neck of the victim to the laws."
"Well, well, Mr. Phelim, having cracked your joke, pray spare my
neck from the same, and likewise my ribs from carte and tierce, for
at this present moment I see before me, with terror in my mind's
eye, the retrospect of the Nieuport-gate of Ostend, and all that you
have told me thereof. So have pity upon our nerves and necks while
pending in air, and depending upon you!"
The Reverend Doctor was now safely landed upon terra firma, and
he in a subdued tone gave his hearty thanks and farewell to Mr.
Phelim O'Neale, who prayed that the blessings of the poor and
distressed might ever be showered upon, and protect the Reverend
Chaplain.
Colonel Davidson's turn now came of being manumitted from the
prison window, and while adjusting the linen cord to the lower
fragment of the window bar—"Oh, Sir Soldier! how much you remind
me of a print which I have seen at Tyrconnel Castle of the famous
Hungry Kat, [Henri Quatré,] the famous king of France; and, och,
long life to you, may you have, like him, an angel Gabriel [meaning
Gabriella d'Estrees] for a wife; och, and your worthy honour, may
she be as kind, and good, and true, as my own humble Justiné; and
moreover, besides, may you have a whole house full of childer!"
Colonel Davidson, laughing, good humouredly protested against this
part of the benison, as he smilingly observed, that if a soldier could
manage his military baggage, he had enough to do, without being
encumbered with live stock.
Our adventurers having all most kindly bade adieu to Mr. Phelim
O'Neale, proceeded onwards, attended by their guide; and in about
a quarter of an hour, or so, they came up with the attendant, who
was in due waiting with the horses. Colonel Davidson most