I'll do anything you like in the saddle, from robbing the mail to cutting out a frigate; but I never was much of a foot-pad." "Well, Mike," said I, as I returned to the room with my trusty follower, "are the cattle to be depended on ?" "If we had a snaffle in Malachi Daly's mouth [my brown horse], I'd be afeared of nothing, sir; but if it comes to fencing, with that cruel bit,--but sure, you've a light hand, and let him have his head, if it's wall." "By Jove, he thinks it a fox-chase!" said Hampden.
"Isn't it the same, sir ?" said Mike, with a seriousness that made the whole party smile.
"Well, I hope we shall not be earthed, any way," said I."Now, the next thing is, who has a lantern?
Ah! the very thing; nothing better.

Look to your pistols, Hampden; and Mike, here's a glass of grog for you; we'll want you.

And now, one bumper for good luck.

Eh, Baker, won't you pledge us ?" "And spare a little for me," said Hampden.

"How it does rain! If one didn't expect to be water-proofed before morning, one really wouldn't go out in such weather." While I busied myself in arranging my few preparations, Hampden proceeded gravely to inform Mike that we were going to the assistance of the besieged fortress, which could not possibly go on without us.
"Tare and ages!" said Mike, "that's mighty quare; and the blue rocket was a letter of invitation, I suppose ?" "Exactly," said Hampden; "and you see there's no ceremony between us.