At this the monarch raised the bottle to his mouth and took another long, long pull.
From this Brooke gathered that they were to be taken to the castle. He asked "His Majesty" if this were so.
"Begorra, ye've hit it," said "His Majesty.
"Is there anything to prevent our being taken there at once?" asked Brooke.
"Bedad, there's iverything in loife. Shure, I've come on a surprise-party til capture the castle."
It occurred to Brooke that this was a curious way to surprise a castle—by kindling torches, dancing, and singing songs; but he made no remark upon that. He saw that the chief supposed the castle to be defended, and so he hastened to undeceive him.
"His Majesty" listened in amazement to Brooke's story.
"Begorra," said he, "here's another surprise! Didn't I say we were a surprised party? Shure, an' ye've all showed pluck, ivery man jack av yez, includin' the ladies. An' that same 'll have to be considhered in our thraitmint wid yez about the ransom. Shure, I'll deduct five per cint., so I will. Nobody shall say we're not magnanimous. But bein' as there's nobody there, shure, the best thing for us to do is to go over at onct and raysume possission."
With these words the monarch retired to give orders to his men, and in a short time the whole band, together with their prisoners, had passed over and had taken possession.