If there was a bit of chaff left unchaffed in all Ireland,
from Malin Head to Barley Cove, I believe it came into Dennis's head on
this inappropriate occasion, and he forthwith discharged it at
Alister's. To put some natures into a desperate situation seems like
putting tartaric acid into soda and water--they sparkle up and froth. It
certainly was so with Dennis O'Moore; and if Alister could hardly have
been more raven-like upon the crack of doom, the levity of Dennis would,
in our present circumstances, have been discreditable to a paroquet.
For it was no light matter to have lost our one hope of a friend in this
strange land; and yet this was practically what it meant, when we knew
that Alister Auchterlay's cousin had gone to the States. But the idea of
kinship at last suggested something more sensible than jokes to Dennis
O'Moore.
"Why, I've a cousin of my own in Demerara, and I'd forgotten him
entirely!" he suddenly announced.
"You haven't a cousin in New York, have you?" I asked, and I proceeded
to explain, that having done my business, I had been drawn back to the
harbour by all the attractions shipping has for me, and had there been
accosted by the mate of a coasting-vessel bound for New York with salt
fish, who was in want of hands both to load and man her.
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