“Why aye, to be sure,” replied the soldier, “you watermen leads a happy life; you are your own masters, you does just as you pleases, while a soldier dare as well be d———d as desert his post. But I say, Barney, mind what
you says,—nose—nose;” accompanying the last two words with a significant action of placing his finger on his nose, and winking his eye.
Upon this intimation, which appeared to be well understood by Barney, he puffed off an immoderate cloud of smoke, and looking round the room, perceived his customers in the corner.
“Be quiet,” said he, “that's my fare—so it's all right again,—Do you want me, gentlemen; I am always ready, so that whenever you says the word, Barney's your boy.”
“Presently,” said Dashall, “for it would be hard to make you start upon a full jorum.”
“Why I must say,” continued Barney, “I never likes to leave a foaming quart behind me;” and catching hold of the pot of heavy wet, he roared out,—
“What a hearty blade am I,
Care can never touch my heart; Every trouble I defy, While I view the foaming quart.”
and taking a hearty drink, he handed it to his companion, filled his pipe afresh, lighted, and informed the gentlemen he was at their service; when in a few minutes all being ready, they were quickly on board.
“I don't like the looks of the weather, my masters, why we shall have a shower presently, where will you go to?”