A FRIENDLY IRISHMAN. 157 



of the Green," then a pause. Soon, in a deep sonorous 

 voice, broke out 



" And I met with -Napper Tandy, 

 And he took me by the hand," <fec. 



" That's the place for my money," I inwardly 

 thought. " There is no making a mistake what country 

 owns the possessor of that voice." So I took the pony 

 by the bridle and looked in through the door; there I 

 saw a man nailing up laths quite after the orthodox 

 plasterer fashion. 



" Good morning to you, Pat," said I. 



" Good morning to you kindly," said he. 



" Can I get a drink of water ? " I inquired. 



"Is it water you mane ? lashings and leavings about 

 here." 



So he jumped off his perch in search of the liquid 

 I required. Soon he returned with an ample supply. 



Producing my flask, I took a mild drink his eyes 

 were on me all the time. 



" Would you like a drop ? " I asked. 



" Would a duck swim ? " was the response. 



So I poured out a stiff quantity and handed it to 

 him. With a gulp he swallowed it ; then with a grin, 

 " That's the illigant stuff ; I'm thinking you fetched it 

 from the ould counthry." Of him I made inquiries as 

 to my route, the most expeditious way of getting to it ; 

 to all of which he gave me satisfactory answers. 



When about to take my departure, he threw down 

 his hammer and nails, put on his coat, and exclaimed, 

 " Begorra ! that's the last nail I'll drive this blessed 

 day ! If the negurs (meaning the Boers) are in a 

 hurry, they had better do it thimselves." 



