“I can’t see what we look like, but I have a strong suspicion that we do. Also murder. I know my trousers are torn on both knees, and they’re my best ones, too, by the way, and I’m pretty certain that I’m wet and dirty and generally hoboish. I’d rather not have any traffic with a cop, Mart.”
“Maybe you’re right. Appearances are sometimes deceitful. Anyhow, I guess that’s only a house, that light. Probably a farm. We aren’t going very near it.”
The light, a dim glimmer through some trees, was passed on the left and the wagon trundled on, Martin at intervals prevailing on his mettlesome steeds to attempt a gait slightly faster than a walk. The mist wasn’t quite so thick inland here, but it continued to be extremely wet and they were both shivering. It was Nelson who proposed getting down and walking for awhile to get warm.
“Good idea,” said Martin with approval. “Maybe lightening the load will encourage Shamrock and St. Peter there. It would be awful if they ran away, though.”
“I’d be quite as well satisfied,” sighed Nelson. “The whole thing is a silly business, anyway. I wish we’d minded our own affairs!”
“Who was it proposed spying on those poor, inoffensive Sinn Feiners first?” demanded Martin indignantly. “I’d have shouted to them and——”
“Got cracked on the head. Sure! I saved you from that, anyway, but it wasn’t my idea to spend the night creaking around Ireland in a prairie schooner.”
“Guess it looks more like a butcher’s cart, Nep. I say, if we only could get something to eat! Why not? There must be food somewhere in this lovely but benighted land. When we strike a village I’ll forage. Gee, I feel better already!”
The village didn’t materialize, though, for more than an hour, by which time they were back on the seat again and Nelson was frankly asleep. It was a tiny hamlet, at that, and few lights showed. They drove creaking through it, barked at by two dogs, and halted on the further side. Then Martin got stiffly down and went back while Nelson held the lines and tried to keep himself awake. Martin returned empty-handed after ten minutes or so.
“A beautifully hospitable place,” he said bitterly. “I tried five houses and at each one they threatened to have me arrested if I didn’t go away. I didn’t get a bite, but one of those dogs did—very nearly.” He rubbed an ankle as he climbed back into his place. “Get ap, you handsome brutes! Here, you take the lines awhile, Nep, and let me have a nap. Wake me if we come to an all-night lunch!”