The two faithful followers, while mutually the best of friends, were ever playing jokes upon each other.
Barney played the violin and Pomp the banjo.
The Celt had a rich baritone voice and sang with quaint melody many Irish ballads.
The darky had a repertoire of plantation acts that were unsurpassed.
They were far to the northward and the Explorer was keeping a steady course, when one day Pomp, as he was sitting in the pilot-house, picked up his banjo and began to vamp upon it:
“Way down upon de Swanee ribber,
Far, far away----”
“Howld on wid yer racket!” yelled Barney, putting his head in at the door. “Pwhat are yez afther givin’ us, anyway?”
“Jes’ yo’ go on an’ min’ yo’ own bizness, I’ish,” retorted Pomp.
“Bejabers, I will, av yez will quit throwin’ chestnuts at us.”