110 THE DEAD HEAT 



after day at the water. Onst she jumped finely. 

 The Captain made a brook close by our cabin, and 

 is often wid her there. Sometimes she jumps and 

 sometimes she won't ; and when she won't, mille 

 murther I maybe don't he larrup her ! Long life to 

 your honour ! but I don't think the mare likes 

 water, at all, at all. And by my troth, there's 

 many a man thinks the same. The devil's luck to 

 him ! he's been all over the fresh-planted praties, 

 and cut them to smithereens, bad cess to him ! 

 But av course, Leiftenent, ye won't tell on a poor 

 boy, more by token as he is after doing yer honour a 

 little sarvice. I wouldn't give a handful of prayers 

 for my life if he found me out ; for sorra a one 

 knows the Captain better than myself, death to his 

 sowl ! Tear-an-ages ! he's a terrible bad man 

 entirely, is the Captain. The top of» the morning, 

 and long life to your honour ! " said the gossoon, as 

 the Sergeant led him away, pocketing half a crown. 



" There, Fortescue, what do you think of that ? " 

 said his friend, as they sauntered away to the ante- 

 room for a whiskey and soda. " It's evident Mad 

 Moll is no water jumper. By Jupiter ! I think you 

 will pull through. Quite fair my giving the lad 

 half-a-crown. O'Eooney's friends have been doing 

 the same — fair play is a jewel ! " 



Somehow the public at last began to lean towards 



