Tom. And what was that Pady?
Teag. Why he told me if I had been a good boy at home: I needed not to have gone so far to push my fortune with an empty pocket; to which I answered, and what magnifies that, as long as I am a good workman at no trade at all.
Tom. I suppose, Pady, the gentleman would make you dine with him?
Teag. I really thought I was, when I saw them roasting and skinning so many black chickens which was nothing but a few dead crows they were going to eat; ho, ho, said I, them is but dry meat at the best, of all the fowls that flie, commend me to the wing of an ox: but all that came to my share, was a piece of boiled herring and a roasted potatoe, that was the first bit of bread I ever eat in England.
Tom. Well, Pady, what business did you follow after in England, when you was so poor?
Teag. What sir, do you imagine I was poor when I came over on such an honourable occasion as to list, and bring myself to no preferment at all. As I was an able bodied man in the face, I thought to be made a brigadeer, a grandedeer, or a fuzeleer, or even one of them blew gowns that holds the fiery stick to the bung-hole of the big cannons, when they let them off, to fright away the French; I was as sure as no man alive ere I came from Cork, the least preferment I could get, was to be riding-master to a regiment of marines, or one of the black horse itself.
Tom. Well Pady, you seem to be a very clever man, to be all in one body, what height are you?
Teag. Arra, dear shoy, I am five foot nothing, all but one inch.
Tom. And where in England was it you listed?