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           Beacorporalworkofmercyifsomeonewouldtakethelifeofthatbloodydog.I’mtoldforafactheateagoodpartofthebreechesoffaconstabularymaninSantrythatcameroundonetimewithabluepaperaboutalicence.

           —Standanddeliver,sayshe.

           —That’sallright,citizen,saysJoe.Friendshere.

           —Pass,friends,sayshe.

           Thenherubshishandinhiseyeandsayshe:

           —What’syouropinionofthetimes?

           DoingtherappareeandRoryofthehill.But,begob,Joewasequaltotheoccasion.

           —Ithinkthemarketsareonarise,sayshe,slidinghishanddownhisfork.

           Sobegobthecitizenclapshispawonhiskneeandhesays:

           —Foreignwarsisthecauseofit.

           AndsaysJoe,stickinghisthumbinhispocket:

           —It’stheRussianswishtotyrannise.

           —Arrah,giveoveryourbloodycodding,Joe,saysI.I’veathirstonmeIwouldn’tsellforhalfacrown.

           —Giveitaname,citizen,saysJoe.

           —Wineofthecountry,sayshe.

           —What’syours?saysJoe.

           —DittoMacAnaspey,saysI.

           —Threepints,Terry,saysJoe.Andhow’stheoldheart,citizen?sayshe.

           —Neverbetter,achara,sayshe.WhatGarry?Arewegoingtowin?Eh?

           Andwiththathetookthebloodyoldtowserbythescruffoftheneckand,byJesus,henearthrottledhim.

           Thefigureseatedonalargeboulderatthefootofaroundtowerwasthatofabroadshouldereddeepchestedstronglimbedfrankeyedredhairedfreelyfreckledshaggybeardedwidemouthedlargenosedlongheadeddeepvoicedbarekneedbrawnyhandedhairyleggedruddyfacedsinewyarmedhero.