He lurched gallantly into the throng, calling on his friends to rescue the old girl from her captors.
When he learned that she was in no danger, he grew enthusiastic, and insisted on helping to carry the provisions.
"'Ere, Dad, yer've lost yer 'ead.

Take this," said Chook, offering him a cabbage.
"Keep it, sonny--keep it; you want it more than I do," cried Dad, scornfully.
So saying, he tore a shoulder of mutton out of Waxy's hands, and, carrying it in his arms as a woman carries a child, joined the procession with sudden, zigzag steps.

When the party reached the cottage, it was met with a howl of welcome from the crowd, which now reached to the opposite footpath.

Barney Ryan, seized with an inspiration, broke suddenly into "Mother Shipton".

The chorus was taken up with a roar of discordant voices: Good old Mother has come again to prophesy Things that will surely occur as the days go rolling by, So listen to me if you wish to know, For I'll let you into the know, you know, And tell you some wonders before I go To home, sweet home.
Mrs Yabsley, delighted by the compliment, stood on her veranda, smiling and radiant, like Royalty receiving homage from its subjects.