“Well, King Teddy O’Riley, we must be under the necessity of hanging you,” observed the captain.
“Hang me!” shouted the man, in perfect amazement. “Hang a king!—hang King Teddy O’Riley? Hang the King ov Blatherumskite? Why its rank trason? Ye’ll not be afther thinkin ov doin sich a rebellious action. I shall feel obliged to ye if ye wont mintion it.”
“And what would you have done with us if you had succeeded in your ridiculous idea of taking the ship?” inquired Hearty.
“Faix and wouldn’t we have kilt every sowl of yese, and taken the rest prisoners?” replied his majesty.
“Then we cannot do better than follow your example,” observed the captain; then turning to some of his men, who appeared to enjoy the scene with particular satisfaction, he exclaimed, “Get a rope ready at the fore-yard arm that we may hang this fellow!” The sailors with great alacrity made the necessary preparations.
“Be all the holy saints betwixt this and no where, ye’ll not be afther taking away the life ov a poor king!” exclaimed his majesty of Blatherumskite, with the greatest earnestness and alarm. “What’ll I do now? Sure and I’m in a bad way! Sure and I’ll be done for intirely! And is it to be hanged I am?” continued he, looking woefully at the rope that was dangling ready for immediate use. “Is King Teddy O’Riley to be kilt afther sich a villainous fashion? Oh what a disgrace for Blatherumskite! What a dishonour to a king. Oh what ’ill I do—what ’ill I do?”
“Is the rope ready?” inquired Hearty.
“All right, Sir,” said the boatswain.
“Then hoist him up,” replied the captain. The men proceeded to fulfil the command of their officer.
“Oh it’s in a pretty way I am!” exclaimed the unfortunate monarch, with tears in his eyes. “Be the holy japers, wouldn’t I change places wid any body as would like to be hanged in my place. It’s yourself, Murphy O’Blarney, that’s the good subject,” said the king, addressing one of his companions with particular and impressive emphasis. “Sure, and ye’ve got more pathriotism than to let the King ov Blatherumskite be hanged, when it’s your own loyal neck as would fit the rope so azy.” Murphy O’Blarney did not seem to hear. “Bad luck to the likes ov yese for a thraitor,” murmured his majesty. Then, turning to another of his subjects, he said, “Larry Brogues, it’s great confidence I place in ye—ye’re a jewel ov a man intirely; and if ye ’ill jist be afther doing me the thrifling favour ov being hanged in my place, the best pig I have shall be your’s.” Larry appeared as if he had lost all relish for pork. “I always said ye were a base ribbel!” muttered the angry monarch, turning from him to address a third. “Mick Killarney, a sinsible boy you’ve showed yerself afore to-day, and little’s the praise I take to meself for not having rewarded ye according to your desarts; but if ye’ll show your superior desarnment, by letting the little bit ov a rope be placed round your neck instead ov mine, it’s meself that ’ill make a man ov ye when I get back to Blatherumskite.” Mick Killarney turned the only eye he had in his head, to another part of the ship. “There’s more brains in the tail of a dead pig, than ’ill ever come out ov yer thick skull, ye villain!” exclaimed King Teddy O’Riley in a thundering rage: then he looked very pathetic, wiped his eyes with a corner of his blanket, and began to chant, in the most miserable tones, the following words:—