The show of hands was declared to be in favour of Egan, whereupon a poll was demanded on the part of Scatterbrain, after which every one began to move from the court-house. O'Grady, in very ill-humour, was endeavouring to shove past a herculean fellow, rather ragged and very saucy, who did not seem inclined to give place to the savage elbowing of the Squire. "What brings such a ragged rascal as you here?" said O'Grady, brutally; "you're not an elector." "Yis, I am!" replied the fellow, sturdily. "Why, _you_ can't have a lease, you beggar." "No, but maybe I have an article."[22] [22] A name given to a written engagement between landlord and tenant, promising to grant a lease, on which registration is allowed in Ireland. "What is your article?" "What is it?" retorted the fellow, with a fierce look at O'Grady. "'Faith, it's a fine brass blunderbuss; _and I'd like to see the man would dispute the title_." O'Grady had met his master, and could not reply; the crowd shouted for the ragamuffin, and all parties separated, to gird up their loins for the next day's poll. CHAPTER XIX After the angry words exchanged at the nomination, the most peaceable reader must have anticipated the probability of a duel;--but when the inflammable stuff of which Irishmen are made is considered, together with the excitement and pugnacious spirit attendant upon elections in all places, the certainty of a hostile meeting must have been apparent. The sheriff might have put the gentlemen under arrest, it is true, but that officer was a weak, thoughtless, irresolute person, and took no such precaution; though, to do the poor man justice, it is only fair to say that such an intervention of authority at such a time and place would be considered on all hands as a very impertinent, unjustifiable, and discourteous interference with the private pleasures and privileges of gentlemen. Dick Dawson had a message conveyed to him from O'Grady, requesting the honour of his company the next morning to "grass before breakfast!" to which, of course, Dick returned an answer expressive of the utmost readiness to oblige the Squire with his presence; and, as the business of the election was of importance, it was agreed they should meet at a given spot on the way to the town, and so lose as little time as possible. The next morning, accordingly, the parties met at the appointed place, Dick attended by Edward O'Connor and Egan--the former in capacity of his friend; and O'Grady, with Scatterbrain for his second, and Furlong a looker-on: there were some straggling spectators besides, to witness the affair. "O'Grady looks savage, Dick," said Edward. "Yes," answered Dick, with a smile of as much unconcern as if he were going to lead off a country dance. "He looks as pleasant as a bull in a pound." "Take care of yourself, my dear Dick," said Edward seriously.