CHAPTER XIV.
LIVELY TIMES.
Barney and Hans dashed into their room, and tore themselves out of their clothes, which, however, they took care to hang in order on the pegs placed along the partition that divided one end of the room into two alcoves.
Long practice enabled them to undress with great swiftness.
By the time taps began to sound they were ready to jump into their beds.
Barney quickly extinguished the light, but Hans lost no time in getting under the blankets, while the Irish lad made a leap to do so.
Then came a cry of astonishment and fear from Hans.
"Shimminy Gristmas!" exclaimed the Dutch boy.

"Vot dot vos I touch me to, ain'd id ?" "Shut up!" growled Barney.

"Bad cess to yez! do yez phwant th' officer av th' guarrud doon on us! Kape shtill, ur----" "Wa-ow!" howled Hans, uttering a wild shriek of pain and terror.

"I vos caught in der ped my leg by! Dunder und blitzens! I vos bit mit der toe on!" "Begorra! ye hiv gone crazy, ye son av a Dutch chazemaker! Kape shtill thot howlin', ur----" Then Barney's tone suddenly changed, and he let out a yell that would have awakened Rip Van Winkle from his long nap.
"Saints defind me! I'm bitten in siventane different places intoirely! Wurra! wurra! Musha! musha! Th' bed is full av crawling crathers!" "Cendibedes!" howled Hans.
"Cintipades!" shrieked Barney.
Out of the beds they scrambled in hot haste, and to each one six or eight of the crawfish were clinging.
"Wao-w!" roared Hans.
"Whoop!" bellowed Barney.
"I peen kilt alretty yet!" shrieked the Dutch boy.

"I peen bit all ofer py does cendibedes!" "Begorra! there's a bushel av th' craythers hangin' to me!" shouted the Irish lad.