“I kissed the gentleman’s hand, my heart beating with joy.
“‘Poor little fellow!’ observed the lady; ‘tell me your name?’
“‘Patrick O’Loughlin,’ I replied.
“They both smiled, saying, ‘A very fine name, indeed; very likely his father’s,’ said the gentleman. ‘Don’t think I ever had a father, sir,’ I replied, very quietly.
“‘Oh, yes,’ said the gentleman, laughing; ‘you may be quite satisfied you had both father and mother, though they left you to the care of others. But never mind, my little fellow, I will make a man of you.’ Just then we saw the postillion coming up the road, and a post-chaise following, and one or two helpers, and some of the country people attracted by the account of the accident.
“The pole only of the gentleman’s carriage was broken, but he and the lady and servant got up into the chaise. I was told to place myself beside the driver, while the postillion remained behind to set up the broken pole and bring the carriage into Bantry.
“On reaching the inn, there appeared a great commotion in receiving my protector, as all the inmates of the hotel turned out, and there was no end of donning of hats, and bows and curtseys.
“‘Here, my good dame,’ called out the gentleman to the landlady, ‘take care of this young boy. Let him have anything he wishes for, and send for a tailor and let him make him a couple of suits of clothes, fit for a lad going to sea. I am going on to Glengariff to-morrow, but shall be back in a couple of days, so let the clothes be ready by that time,’ and, patting me on the head, and telling me to go with the landlady, he proceeded up stairs with his wife and child.
“‘Bless me!’ cried the landlady, looking at me—I was not very aristocratically clothed certainly, and had lost my cap into the bargain. ‘Where did you come from, little boy, I never saw you before? You do not belong to this place, do you?’
“‘No ma’am,’ I replied, ‘I come from a long way.’