He was not only a great favourite among ourselves, but
his songs attracted the lords of the saloon, who often leaned to hear
him over the rails of the hurricane-deck. He was somewhat pleased,
but not at all abashed, by this attention; and one night, in the
midst of his famous performance of 'Billy Keogh,' I saw him spin half
round in a pirouette and throw an audacious wink to an old gentleman
above.
This was the more characteristic, as, for all his daffing, he was a
modest and very polite little fellow among ourselves.
He would not have hurt the feelings of a fly, nor throughout the
passage did he give a shadow of offence; yet he was always, by his
innocent freedoms and love of fun, brought upon that narrow margin
where politeness must be natural to walk without a fall. He was once
seriously angry, and that in a grave, quiet manner, because they
supplied no fish on Friday; for Barney was a conscientious Catholic.
He had likewise strict notions of refinement; and when, late one
evening, after the women had retired, a young Scotsman struck up an
indecent song, Barney's drab clothes were immediately missing from
the group.
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