ling him over the coals for not
carrying on the duty according to his satisfaction. So he answered me
very gruffly, that I should not leave the ship. `O bother!' said I to
myself, `this will never do.' So up I walked to the captain, and
touching my hat, reminded him that `I had a father and mother, and a
pretty sprinkling of brothers and sisters, who were dying to see me, and
that I hoped that he would give me leave.' `Ax the first lieutenant,'
said he turning away. `I have, sir,' replied I, `and he says that the
devil a bit shall I put my foot on shore.' `Have you any fault to find
with Mr O'Brien?' said the captain to the first lieutenant, as he came
aft. `No more than I have with midshipmen in general; but I believe it
is not the custom for officers to ask leave to go on shore before the
sails are furled and the yards squared.' `Very true,' replied the
captain; `therefore, Mr O'Brien, you must wait until the watch is
called, and then, if you ask the first lieutenant, I have no doubt but
you will have leave granted to you to go and see your friends.'

"I thought myself very clever in this business, but I was never a
greater fool in my life; for there was no such hurry to have gone on
shore, and the first lieutenant never forgave me for appealing to the
captain--but of that by-and-bye, and all in good time. At last I
obtained a grumbling assent to my going on shore, and off I went like a
sky rocket. Being in a desperate hurry, I hired a jaunting car to take
me to my father's house. `Is it the O'Brien of Ballyhinch that you
mane?' inquired the spalpeen who drove the horse. `Sure it is,' replied
I; `and how is he, and all the noble family of the O'Briens?' `All well
enough, bating the boy Tim, who caught a bit of confusion in his head
the other night at the fair, and now lies at home in bed quite
insensible to mate or drink; but the doctors give hopes of his recovery,
as all the O'Briens are known to have such thick heads.' `What do mane
by that, bad manners to you?' said I; `but poor Tim--how did it happen--
was there a fight?' `Not much of a fight--only a bit of a skrummage--
three crowner's inquests, no more.' `But you are not going the straight
road, you thief,' said I, seeing that he had turned off to the left.
`Is your honour in a hurry to get home? Then I'll be thinking they'll
not be in such a hurry to see you.' `And who told you that my name was
O'Brien, you baste?--and do you dare to say that m