nearly midnight before
Good stories , joking allusions to the more discontented ones of the party , ridiculous plans for the night 's encampment , followed each other so rapidly , that the weariness of the way was forgotten ; and while some were cursing their hard fate , that ever betrayed them into such misfortunes , the little group round O'Flaherty were almost convulsed with laughter at the wit and drollery of one , over whom if the circumstances had any influence , they seemed only to heighten his passion for amusement . In the early part of the morning he had captured a turkey , which hung gracefully from his holster on one side , while a small goat-skin of Valencia wine balanced it on the other . These good things were destined to form a feast that evening , to which he had invited four others ; that being , according to his most liberal calculation , the greatest number to whom he could afford a reasonable supply of wine . When the halt was made , it took some time to arrange the dispositions for the night ; and it was nearly midnight before all the regiment had got their billets and were housed , even with such scanty accommodation as the place afforded . Tom 's guests had not yet arrived , and he himself was busily engaged in roasting the turkey before a large fire , on which stood a capacious vessel of spiced wine , when the party appeared . A very cursory `` reconnaissance '' through the house , one of the only ones untouched in the village , showed that from the late rain it would be impossible to think of sleeping in the lower story , which already showed signs of being flooded ; they therefore proceeded in a body up stairs , and what was their delight to find a most comfortable room , neatly furnished with chairs , and a table ; but , above all , a large old-fashioned bed , an object of such luxury as only an old campaigner can duly appreciate . The curtains were closely tucked in all round , and , in their fleeting and hurried glance , they felt no inclination to disturb them , and rather proceeded to draw up the table before the hearth , to which they speedily removed the fire from below ; and , ere many minutes , with that activity which a bivouack life invariably teaches , their supper smoked before them , and five happier fellows did not sit down that night within a large circuit around .