Page:Hornung - Irralies Bushranger.djvu/159

 into a bloomin' 'ornet's nest for his pains, an' very near gets stung by a lump o' lead; only we was two to one, w'ich settles it out o' court. But we now delivers 'im over to you, and glad to get the beggar off of our 'ands."

Fullarton had handed Irralie to an old soap-box (in lieu of a chair) by the fireside; of the others he took no more notice than to nod to her in confirmation of Howie's report. The latter had a marked effect upon Stingaree.

"Excellent!" cried he, with the lopsided grin of all eye-glassed men. "I pictured those dear good troopers a paddock behind us; and behold them still in their beds! Your hand, my friend, your horny hand! It's a near thing yet though. Where's that ear-trumpet?"

It hung round the deaf-man's neck, as he knelt scowling over the billy-can upon the fire. Stingaree seized it, thrust the end into the other's ear, and roared through the trumpet, "Tea for the lot of us, quick as