Handy Andy, vol 2 | Page 2

plan of the enemy,
which he set about countermining. As they rattled over the rough
by-roads, many a laugh did the merry attorney and the untameable Dick
the Devil exchange, as the probable success of their scheme was
canvassed, and fresh expedients devised to meet the possible
impediments which might interrupt them. As they topped a hill Murphy
pointed out to his companion a moving light in the plain beneath.
"That's the coach, Dick--there are the lamps, we're just in time--spin
down the hill, my boy--let me get in as they're at supper, and 'faith
they'll want it, after coming off a coach such a night as this, to say
nothing of some of them being aldermen in expectancy perhaps, and of
course obliged to play trencher-men as often as they can, as a requisite
rehearsal for the parts they must hereafter fill."
In fifteen minutes more Dick pulled up before a small cabin within a
quarter of a mile of the inn, and the mounted servant tapped at the door,
which was immediately opened, and a peasant, advancing to the gig,
returned the civil salutation with which Dick greeted his approach.
"I wanted to be sure you were ready, Barny."
"Oh, do you think I'd fail you, Misther Dick, your honour?"
"I thought you might be asleep, Barny."
"Not when you bid me wake, sir; and there's a nice fire ready for you,
and as fine a dhrop o' potteen as ever tickled your tongue, sir."
"You're the lad, Barny!--good fellow--I'll be back with you by-and-by;"
and off whipped Dick again.

After going about a quarter of a mile further, he pulled up, alighted
with Murphy from the gig, unharnessed the little black mare, and then
overturned the gig into the ditch.
"That's as natural as life," said Dick.
"What an escape of my neck I've had!" said Murphy.
"Are you much hurt?" said Dick.
"A trifle lame only," said Murphy, laughing and limping.
"There was a great boccagh [Footnote: Lame beggar.] lost in you,
Murphy. Wait; let me rub a handful of mud on your face--there--you
have a very upset look, 'pon my soul," said Dick, as he flashed the light
of his lantern on him for a moment, and laughed at Murphy scooping
the mud out of his eye, where Dick had purposely planted it.
"Devil take you," said Murtough; "that's too natural."
"There's nothing like looking your part," said Dick.
"Well, I may as well complete my attire," said Murtough, so he lay
down in the road and took a roll in the mud; "that will do," said he;
"and now, Dick, go back to Barny and the mountain dew, while I storm
the camp of the Philistines. I think in a couple of hours you may be on
the look-out for me; I'll signal you from the window, so now good
bye;" and Murphy, leading the mare, proceeded to the inn, while Dick,
with a parting "Luck to you, my boy," turned back to the cottage of
Barny.
The coach had set down six inside and ten out passengers (all voters)
about ten minutes before Murphy marched up to the inn door, leading
the black mare, and calling "ostler" most lustily. His call being
answered for "the beast," "the man" next demanded attention; and the
landlord wondered all the wonders he could cram into a short speech, at
seeing Misther Murphy, sure, at such a time; and the sonsy landlady,
too, was all lamentations for his illigant coat and his poor eye, sure, all

ruined with the mud:--and what was it at all? an upset, was it? oh, wirra!
and wasn't it lucky he wasn't killed, and they without a spare bed to lay
him out dacent if he was--sure, wouldn't it be horrid for his body to be
only on sthraw in the barn, instead of the best feather-bed in the house;
and, indeed, he'd be welcome to it, only the gintlemen from town had
them all engaged.
"Well, dead or alive, I must stay here to-night, Mrs. Kelly, at all
events."
"And what will you do for a bed?"
"A shake down in the parlour, or a stretch on a sofa, will do; my gig is
stuck fast in a ditch--my mare tired--ten miles from home--cold night,
and my knee hurt." Murphy limped as he spoke.
"Oh! your poor knee," said Mrs. Kelly; "I'll put a dhrop o' whisky and
brown paper on it, sure--"
"And what gentlemen are these, Mrs. Kelly, who have so filled your
house?"
"Gintlemen that came by the coach a while agone, and supping in the
parlour now, sure."
"Would you give my compliments, and ask would they allow me, under
the present peculiar circumstances, to join them? and in the meantime,
send somebody down the road to take the