'As I said this, they gave three cheers you'd have heard a mile off.
'After about 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.”