"I was a middling strong young fellow then, Mr. Stowell, Sir, and if the mare pulled I pulled too, until one of the reins broke at me and I was flung off the box."
"Aisy does it! Take in that breast rope, bys"—the steamer was passing through the gate.
"I wasn't for letting go for all. Not me! Just holding on like mad, though it was tossing and tumbling on the road I was like a mollag in a dirty sea."
"Half-steam below there"—the steamer was opening the bay.
"I bet her at last, Sir, and up she came at the Ballamoar gates blowing like a smithy bellows and sweating tremenjous, but quiet as a lamb."
"Heave oh and away!"
"I was ragged and torn like a scarecrow, and herself was as white as a sea-gull, but never a scratch, thank God!"
"Bravo!"
"The Dempster had heard the yelling on the road and down the drive he came in his dressing-gown and slippers, trembling like a ghost. And when he saw it was all right with herself, 'Mr. Vondy,' says he, with the water in his eyes, 'I'll never forget it, Mr. Vondy,' he says."
"And he didn't?"