262 The Hunting Field With Horse and Hound 



"How long since they passed?" we inquired. "Yesterday morn- 

 ing," came the quick reply. "Come over here," shouted the 

 friend, holding up a flask as a sign that we meant no harm. 

 "Now see here, we are strangers here, this gentleman got hung 

 up in the bog, we wish (meanwliile exhibiting the contents 

 of the flask to the best advantage) you would put us right on 

 the highway, and when you do, we will be pleased to have you 

 drink to our health." "Faith and I will, yer honour." At this 

 our informant dropped his hoe where he stood and started. 

 Then he began to ask questions. "Where did ye come from?" 

 And it turned out that neither of us knew beyond the fact that 

 we came from Dublin by train, got off at some station or other, 

 and drove somewhere or other, to some meet or other. "Holy 

 Bridget, but sure ye are a couple of lost souls if ye don't know 

 where ye came from, where ye have been, or where ye be now, 

 and whereat ye be striving to fitch to. May the saints be with 

 ye! for it is not me that can tell ye." 



Our health had been drunk, each separately, so as to give 

 I no offence. Soon after we reached the highway, we met 

 some riders who put us right. Thus one trouble after another 

 came to an end, including the finding of the Captain who was 

 probably worrying about his dear old Tipperary and his lost 

 Yankee friend. 



