THE FREEDOM OF THE SEAS
around to Midleton and went in by the road over the bridges. There's a way to the mainland there, you know."
"No, I didn't know it. I thought Queenstown was on an island."
"So it is, but I said bridges, didn't I?"
"Well, don't get huffy about it. I suppose this stuff was going to someone's house or barn or hay-mow tonight. Then, later, they'd take it up to Cork or Dublin or somewhere. Well, their plans are all shot to pieces, Nep."
"Unless they catch us in the next half-hour," replied Nelson gloomily. "Won't those nags go any faster?"
"I'll ask them. Can you accelerate your pace any, horsies? Get ap, you Sinn Feiners!"
Strangely enough that epithet had an effect and the horses broke into a lumbering trot. The road was fairly good now and Martin was careful to offer no suggestions to the nags. They kept the trot up for a quarter of a mile or so before relapsing again into their leisurely walk. By that time Nelson was breathing easier and it seemed to him that they might, after all, elude pursuit.
"How far is it around to Queenstown by this road you tell of?" asked Martin presently. Nelson tried to conjure up the map in the guide book
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