"Yes, we can go, but it will be to behold folly.

Perhaps it will be a good lesson, from which much may be learned.

We will go." "It's not a step that I'll budge till I've finished me pipe," said Barney, pulling away at that bosom friend with unexampled energy.

"To smoke," he continued, winking gently with one eye, "is the first law of nature; jist give me ten minutes more, an' _I'm_ your man for anything," Being a fine evening, they proceeded on foot.

In about an hour after setting out they approached the village, which lay in a beautiful valley below them.