occupied in keeping somebody "steady" which left no shadow of a doubt, in Hugh's mind, that Rose Blaney's pretty face would be one of the first to welcome him; and so it was, for as Hugh was clumsily mounting the side, a brawny arm met him part way, and Hugh felt himself lifted on board with very little further exertion on his part. — "God save you," said Mick." — "God save us all" said the little Irishwoman: and this was Hugh's first introduction upon the deck of an emigrant ship.
As soon as Hugh had time to look around, the first object which attracted his attention was an officer of the ship standing with a number of stout bludgeons under his arm, which every now and again was increased by the addition of others. When the bundle became inconveniently large, a rope-yarn was called for and they were tied tightly together. Then the mate mounting upon a beef-barrel, which was at hand, addressed the steerage passengers, — "Now you see, my boys, I'm an Irishman myself (though, for an Irishman, he certainly had a peculiarly Devonian accent), and I know that the most inconvenient thing any countryman of mine can take to sea with him is his shillala; I have therefore, for your own peace and for the general peace of the ship, thought it best to collect all the sticks — steward, give the boys a lot of liquor round — every mother's son of 'em (cheers from all quarters) — as I was saying then, boys, about the sticks and the liquor, the best thing is to stick to the liquor, and to the devil with the sticks; saying which, the mate, with a hearty good will, cast the bundle into the sea; they sunk immediately, for they were of solid blackthorn. A murmur of disapprobation arose at the summary proceeding, which, however, was cut short by the appearance of the ship's steward with a can of rum.
Hugh was now joined by Slinger and the mate, who introducing himself as Mr. Moriarty, requested the pleasure of a glass of wine with his passengers. They accepted the invitation, and
