Teag. Why, a recruiting sergeant listed me to be a captain, and after all advanced me no higher than a soldier itself, but only he called me his dear countryman recruit, for I did not know what the regiment was when I saw them. I thought they were all gentlemen's sons and collegioners, when I saw a box like a Bible upon their bellies, until I saw G for King George upon it, and R for God bless him. "Ho, ho," said I, "I shan't be long here."
Tom. O, then, Paddy, you deserted from them?
Teag. That's what I did, and ran to the mountains like a buck, and ever since when I see any soldiers I close my eyes, lest they should look and know me.
Tom. And what exploits did you when you was a soldier?
Teag. Arra, dear honey, I killed a man.
Tom. And how did you do that?
Teag. Arra, dear honey, when he dropt his sword I drew mine, and advanced boldly to him, and then cutted off his foot.
Tom. O, then, what a big fool was you, for you ought first to have cut off his head.
Teag. Arra, dear shoy, his head was cutted off before I engaged him, else I had not done it.
Tom. O, then, Paddy, you acted like a fool; but you are not such a big fool as many take you to be. You might pass for a philosopher.