264 SPOJtTS AND ANECDOTES. 



soft surface, and prevent any possibility of clucking. 

 This being done, the end of the cork was cut off 

 square, " and level with the top of the neck, and the 

 whole secured with a thin layer of cotton wool well 

 stuck down with sealing wax. This being accom- 

 plished the long-looking powder-horn was well secured 

 in brown paper, and strapped up inside my great-coats 

 and wrappers, of which I always carried, and do 

 to this day, two or three more than I can possi- 

 bly require. These being packed in a pretty long 

 shape, on the top of all I strapped a wild-fowl gun 

 which I was wont to take with me on my excursions 

 down the river. All went well : I got all on board 

 the steamer and off the steamer at Holyhead without 

 being asked any questions, for from my long cases 

 of fishing-rods and such sporting implements, I was 

 taken for what Paddy would call a great sportsman, 

 and not a smuggler of contraband whiskey. 



On landing from the steamer, a shilling to one of 

 the crew, and a request that he would take care not 

 to break my gun, did all. And a hint to the coach- 

 man of the Holyhead mail that I had got some 

 whiskey amongst my great-coats, did the rest ; he 

 cautioned the porters to be careful, and "lay that 

 parcel on the top of the mail, and don't get the gun 



