Irish Tales / Ирландские сказки. Книга для чтения на английском языке

Well, I got away from him somehow, but when I was passing through the door, it must be the divel himself that pounced down on me with his claws, and his teeth, that were equal to sixpenny nails, and his wings – ill luck be in his road! Well, at last I reached the stable, and there, by way of salute, I got a pelt from a sledgehammer that sent me half a mile off. If you don’t believe me, I’ll give you leave to go and judge for yourselves.’

�Oh, my poor captain,’ says they, �we believe you to the nines[32 - believe you to the nines – (разг.

) верим каждому слову]. Catch us, indeed, going within a hen’s race of that unlucky cabin!’

Well, before the sun shook his doublet next morning, Jack and his comrades were up and about[33 - were up and about – (разг.) были уже на ногах]. They made a hearty breakfast on what was left the night beforehand then they all agreed to set off to the castle of the Lord of Dunlavin, and give him back all his gold and silver.

Jack put it all in the two ends of a sack and laid it across Neddy’s back, and all took the road in their hands. Away they went, through bogs, up hills, down dales, and sometimes along the yellow high road, till they came to the hall door of the Lord of Dunlavin, and who should be there, airing his powdered head, his white stockings, and his red breeches, but the thief of a porter.

He gave a cross look to the visitors, and says he to Jack, �What do you want here, my fine fellow? There isn’t room for you all.

’

�We want,’ says Jack, �what I’m sure you haven’t to give us – and that is, common civility.’

�Come, be off, you lazy strollers!’ says he. �While a cat ’ud be licking her ear, or I’ll let the dogs at you.’

�Would you tell a body,’ says the cock that was perched on the ass’s head, �who was it that opened the door for the robbers the other night?’

Ah! Maybe the porter’s red face didn’t turn the colour of his frill, and the Lord of Dunlavin and his pretty daughter, that were standing at the parlour window unknownst to the porter, put out their heads.

�I’d be glad, Barney,’ says the master, �to hear your answer to the gentleman with the red comb on him.’

�Ah, my lord, don’t believe the rascal; sure I didn’t open the door to the six robbers.’

�And how did you know there were six, you poor innocent?’ said the lord.