298 LIFE IN IRELAND 



Oh, by my faith, said Brian, but they are infamous 

 for that, and have my beneciiction in the form of a 

 curse for all they did to my poor father — many a still 

 of his did they steal and break up, and spill the hot 

 malt. And many a bucky did they intercept, and pull 

 up the cargo on land, which had escaped the perils of 

 the sea. Many 's the bright pound it has been out of 

 my way — but no matter for that, the Gahvay Boys were 

 a fine Troop ; and except some of them wearing their 

 leggins on their hands in place of being on their legs, 

 they are and were as well disciplined regiment as any 

 in existence. 



We'll believe you, Brian, said Lady Demiquaver, 

 with a little deduction ; for trust me, no Galway Boy 

 ever spoke impartially of his county. 



END OF CHAPTER XXIV. 



