LIFE IN IRELAND 171 



and lies as snug as a bug in a rug hi Clojitarf church- 

 yard. All the other freight were saved by a boat from 

 the king's ship. Sally Jenkinson could not swim, 

 but grasping with her good right hand the waistbatui 

 of BrL'VN Boru's leather breeches^ she managed to float 

 until Providence, in the shape and dress of a Midship- 

 man, hauled her into a boat, and towed her alongside. 

 ' Ah,' said Brian, ' thanks to my two good arms and the 

 God above, I am safe.' 'And thanks,' said Jenkinson, 

 ' to the waistband of your breeches, I am here and safe 

 also. Och ! ho, ho, who ever thought that breeches^ 

 which were my destruction once, should prove the 

 means of my salvation in a watery extremity!'' 



Much merriment was excited on board of the ship, 

 at the strange appearance of our hero and his Chere 

 Amie^ but sailors are in the habit of picking up odd 

 fish., and make very light of a droivned rat. They were 

 very soon brought down to the gun-room fire, and 

 thoroughly rigged fore and aft. Brian w^hipt on 

 a jacket and trowsers, and Miss Jenkinson received a 

 fine Purser's frock from the hands of the second 

 Lieutenant, who was distressed beyond measure at her 

 disaster, and swore that she looked so very handsome 

 in ordinary, it was a pity she should ever be ail atanto 

 again. 



After a jovial supper, in which all the blue and white 

 lads shared ; toasts and sentifnents commenced, for in a 

 man of war genuifie se7iti?ne?it always prevails. 



Thus, in the first toast, a compliment was paid to 

 the fair Mermaid. — Here 's to the 



Mermaids that swim, 

 By a man of war's glim. 



