that."

Their keen appetites and the recollection of the merchant's promised
repast made them hurry on their downward way. They were not
disappointed either in the substantials, or in the delicacies, oranges,
and grapes, with other fruits and wines provided for their
entertainment.

"I am expecting your captains and a few grandees and others to dinner,
or I would have pressed you to stay," said their kind host, as he wished
them good-bye; "I hope you will come to-morrow, though, and remember
that my house is at your orders as long as you stay."

Most of the naval heroes had imbibed a sufficient quantity of the
merchant's generous liquid to raise their spirits, even somewhat above
their usual high level, and Adair took Gerald to task for not having
refused the last few glasses offered, though he declared that he himself
was as sober as an archbishop.

"And so, faith, am I, Uncle Terence," cried Gerald; "to prove that same
I'll race ye down to the bottom of this hit of a hill, and whoever comes
in first shall decide the question. Now off we go. `Wallop ahoo! ahoo!
Erin-go-bragh!'" And urging on his steed, of which his arriero had
long since let go, as had the others of their animals on descending the
mountains, away he started; Adair shouting to him to stop, from the fear
that he would break his neck, followed, however, at the same headlong
speed, giving vent, in his excitement, to the same shout of "Wallop
ahoo! ahoo! Erin-go-bragh!"

The example was infectious, the marine officer even catching it, and off
set lieutenants and surgeons, and midshipmen and clerks, as if
scampering away from an avalanche to save their lives, instead of
running a great risk of losing them. In vain their attendants shouted
to them to stop, and went bounding after them. The animals kept well
together in a dense mass--a regular stampedo--Terence and his nephew
keeping the lead. To check themselves had they tried it was impossible,
without the certainty of bringing their steeds to the ground, and taking
flying leaps over their heads. Suddenly there appeared before them a
palanquin--a dignified ecclesiastic seated in it--attended by footmen,
while further on were seen several cavaliers, some in military uniforms,
with a couple of naval cocked hats rising in their midst. That instant
had the cry of "Erin-go-bragh!" escaped from the excited Irishman's
throat. "Avast! haul up for your life, boy," shouted Adair, on
beholding the spe