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Lillyman overtook Toole at the corner of the street just in time to hear the scamper of the men, at double-quick, running down the sweep of the road to the bridge, and to hear the shouting that arose from the parade-ground by the river bank, from the men within the barrack precincts. Toole joined Lillyman running. 'What the plague's this hubbub and hullo? he cried.
Lillyman was at home, and came. 'Puddock's drowned, my dear Lillyman, and I'm little better. The ferry boat broke away with us. Do go down to the adjutant they ought to raise the salmon nets I'm very ill myself very ill, indeed else I'd have assisted; but you know me, Lillyman. Poor Puddock 'tis a sad business but lose no time. 'And can't he swim? asked Lillyman, aghast.
'You see, Sir, at that time, our Colonel-in-Chief was my Lord Blackwater, continued the old soldier, 'not that we often seen him, for he lived in France mostly; the Colonel-en-Second was General Chattesworth, and Colonel Stafford was Lieutenant-Colonel, and under him Major O'Neill; Captains, four Cluffe, Devereux, Barton, and Burgh: First Lieutenants Puddock, Delany, Sackville, and Armstrong; Second Lieutenants Salt; Barber, Lillyman, and Pringle; Lieutenant Fireworkers O'Flaherty
By this time Lillyman was running like mad from Cluffe's lodgings along Martin's Row to the rescue of Puddock, who, at that moment with his friends and the aid of a long pole, was poking into a little floating tanglement of withered leaves, turf, and rubbish, under the near arch of the bridge, in the belief that he was dealing with the mortal remains of Cluffe.
And so soon as he had swallowed his cordial, and toasted his sheets, and with the aid of his man rolled himself in a great blanket, and clapped his feet in a tub of hot water, and tumbled back again into his bed, he bethought him of Puddock, and ordered his man to take his compliments to Captain Burgh and Lieutenant Lillyman, the tenants of the nearest lodging-house, and to request either to come to him forthwith on a matter of life or death.
'Pish! drowned, indeed! unless he's drowned in the crock of hot water he's clapt his legs into. 'Where is he where's Cluffe? 'Hang it! he's in bed, in his lodging, drinking hot punch this half-hour. 'But are you certain? 'Why, I saw him there myself, answered Lillyman, with an oath.
'Is he found are you found? cried the doctor, resuming that great shake by both hands, which in his momentary puzzle he had suspended. 'I a oh, dear! I don't quite understand is he lost? for mercy's sake is Cluffe lost? implored Puddock. 'Lost in his bed clothes, maybe, cried Lillyman, who had joined them. 'But he's not he's not drowned?
Lillyman was the better runner. Toole a good deal blown, but full of pluck, was labouring in the rear; Lillyman jumped over the stile, at the river path; and Toole saw an officer who resembled 'poor Puddock, he thought, a good deal, cross the road, and follow in Lillyman's wake.
'Swim? ay, like a stone, poor fellow! If he had only thrown himself out, and held by me, hang it, I'd have brought him to shore; but poor Puddock, he lost his head. And I you see me here don't forget to tell them the condition you found me in, and and now don't lose a moment. So off went Lillyman to give the alarm at the barrack.
'Puddock's drowned, panted Lillyman. 'Puddock! bless us! where? puffed Toole. 'Hollo! you, Sir have they heard it is he drowned? cried Lillyman to the sentry outside the gate. 'Dhrownded? yes, Sir, replied the man saluting. 'Is help gone? 'Yes, Sir, Lieutenant Brady, and Sergeant Blakeney, and nine men. 'Come along, cried Lillyman to Toole, and they started afresh.
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