Page:Comical sayings of Pady from Cork (2).pdf/17

 that carries over, the English meal from the mills.

Tom. O then Pady I am sure you was glad where you found yourself alive? Teag. Arra dear shoy I was very sure I was alive, but I did not think to live long; but I thought it was better for me to steal and be hanged, than to live all my days, and to die directly with hunger at last.

Tom. What? had you no meat nor money along with you? Teag. Arra dear shoy, 1 gave all my money to the captain of the house, or goodman of the ship, to carry me into the sea, or over to England, and when I was like to eat my old brogs for want of victuals, I drew my hanger and cut the lock of their leather sack, thinking to get a lick of their meal; but alilieu dear shoy, I found nothing, meal nor feeds, but a parcel of papers and letters a poor morsel indeed for a hungry man.

Tom. O then Pady, you laid down your honesty for nothing? Teag. Ay, ay, I was a great thief I but got nothing to steal.

Tom. And how did you come to get victuals at last? Teag. Ailelieu dear honey, the thoughts of meat and drink, death and life, and every thing else, was out of my mind I had not a thought but one.

Tom. And what was that Pady? Teag To go down amongst the fishes and become a whale; then I would have lived an easy life all my days, having nothing to do but to drink salt water, and eat caller oysters.

Tom. What Pady was you like to be drowned again? Teag Ay, ay, drown’d as cleanly drown’d as a fish, for the sea blew very loud, and the wind run so high, that we were all cast away safe on shore, and not one of us drown’d at all.

Tom And where did you go, when you came ashore? Teag. Arra dear honey, I was not able to go any where, you might a cast a knot on my belly.