Page:Barbour--For the freedom from the seas.djvu/224

 was passed on the left and the wagon trundled on, Martin at intervals prevailing on his mettlesome steeds to attempt a gait slightly faster than a walk. The mist wasn't quite so thick inland here, but it continued to be extremely wet and they were both shivering. It was Nelson who proposed getting down and walking for awhile to get warm.

"Good idea," said Martin with approval. "Maybe lightening the load will encourage Shamrock and St. Peter there. It would be awful if they ran away, though."

"I'd be quite as well satisfied," sighed Nelson. "The whole thing is a silly business, anyway. I wish we'd minded our own affairs!"

"Who was it proposed spying on those poor, inoffensive Sinn Feiners first?" demanded Martin indignantly. "I'd have shouted to them and"

"Got cracked on the head. Sure! I saved you from that, anyway, but it wasn't my idea to spend the night creaking around Ireland in a prairie schooner."

"Guess it looks more like a butcher's cart, Nep. I say, if we only could get something to eat! Why not? There must be food somewhere in this lovely but benighted land. When we strike a village I'll forage. Gee, I feel better already!"

The village didn't materialize, though, for 199