258 A YEAR OF LIBERTT ; OE, 



scent of onions, subtle, provoking, delicious ; there was a whole 

 pile of plates ; no wonder the party were so long invisible ; they 

 must have been foraging half over the country, and had, perhaps, 

 committed a burglary, for Micky's ideas on the question of meum 

 and tuwn were believed to be rather vague. Shall I ever forget the 

 emotion with which I beheld the wooden cover at last removed from 

 crock number one ? Shade of immortal Soyer ! it contained L'ish 

 stew flavoured to perfection, done to a bubble. That the entire 

 party were not taken ill was a special mercy, and that Messrs. Micky 

 and Willie left the place alive was simply miraculous. The human 

 mind has a fatal tendency to forget the future during present enjoy- 

 ment. Fully occupied with the savoury mess before me, crock number 

 two had faded out of my mind, nor could I at all understand why 

 Mademoiselle so frequently left the circle and vanished through the 

 bushes in the direction of the fire, and returning, exchanged mirthful 

 and meaning smiles with the queen of the banquet. Clean plates were 

 served out to the astonished guests, and, everything being ready, 

 Micky was ordered to bring in the next course. When the cover 

 was removed a mighty pudding became apparent, and a triumphant 

 shout arose when the first incision revealed apples and bilberries. It 

 was impossible to resist the call, and the health of our entertainer 

 was diTink enthusiastically. Subsequently it appeared that, whilst 

 botanising along the shores, a considerable quantity of these delicious 

 berries had been found. Micky was sworn to secrecy and taken into 

 partnership. " He knew," he said, "where there was an apple-tree 

 about a mile off, also a shop" near to this garden of the Hesperides. 

 These were great tidings ; the horse was put to the car, and the 

 adventurous Micky being sent forth on his embassy, returned with a 

 hat full of pippins, a bag of flour, sugar, onions, and a magnificent 

 stock of plates, which timely supplies enabled mistress and maid to 

 achieve the wonders we have recorded. I have been to many grand 

 spreads before and since, but none ever did, or perhaps ever will, 

 come up to that unrivalled banquet at Lough Esk. 



Our party was now united, with the exception of Mr. Doolan, 

 whose duty it was to return the crockery and look after the nag. A 



