"John!" vociferated the captain, as the domestic was about to leave the room; "stop a moment, you rogue, and answer me this. Is the area all safe?"
"Yes, sir," was the ready response.
"And the kitchen-windows—and the back-door—and the yar-rd gate—all right, eh—John?"
"All right, captain: I've just been the rounds."
"And all the provisions in the garrison, John?—plenty of potheen?" demanded O'Blunderbuss.
"Plenty, sir. There'll be no more going out again to-night."
"That's a blissing!" exclaimed the gallant captain. "John!"
"Yes—sir."
"Take a glass of whiskey, mate—and slape with the kitchen poker-r under your pillow, my frind," enjoined the officer. "We must be ar-rmed at all pints, be Jasus!"
"I shan't forget, sir," said John: and having tossed off the spirit, he quitted the room.