"It must have been Tim I spoke to, then, for he spoke well of you, and
said you had some excellent rum in your cellar. Maybe he knew more
about it than the Custom-House, eh?"
This put mine host in a flutter, and he vouched by all the saints in the
calendar he had not a drop in the house on which he had not paid duty.
And as Tim Gallagher had mentioned the rum, would I be pleased to try a
glass?
"Where is this Tim now?" I inquired, when the glasses were brought.
"'Deed, captain, that's more than I can tell you. He was wanted badly
by the boys here, who chose him their captain for the turn-out that's to
be; but it's said he's abroad on the service of the country, and we'll
likely see him back with the Frenchmen when they come."
"Ah, you're expecting the Frenchmen, are you? So are we. I may meet
this Tim Gallagher over a broadside yet."
"If you do, dear help you, for Tim's got a long arm, I warn you."