They did not come very near, for in those days there was little the people feared but a gentleman, and small wonder. However, when the little boys judged that the delay in a resumption of the fight was too prolonged, they did not hesitate to express certain unconventional opinions and commands. "Hurry up, now!" "Go on!" "You're both afeared!" "Begin! Begin!" "Are the gentlemen in earnest?" "Sirs, do you mean ever to fight again? Begin, begin." But their enthusiasm waxed high after they had thoroughly comprehended Paddy and his hair. "You're alight, sir; you're alight!" "Water! Water!" "Farmer Pelton will have the officers at you an you go near his hay. Water!" Paddy understood that they were paying tribute to his importance, and he again went suddenly out of my control. He began to strut and caper and pose with the air of knowing that he was the finest gentleman in England. "Paddy, you baboon," said I, "be quiet and don't be making yourself a laughing-stock for the whole of them." But I could give small heed to him, for I was greatly occupied in watching Lord Strepp and the Colonel. The Colonel was listening now to his friend for the simple reason that the loss of blood had made him too weak to fight again. Of a sudden he slumped gently down through Lord Strepp's arms to the ground, and, as the young man knelt, he cast his eyes about him until they rested upon me in what I took to be mute appeal. I ran forward, and we quickly tore his fine ruffles to pieces and succeeded in quite stanching his wounds, none of which were serious. "'Tis only a little blood-letting," said my Lord Strepp with something of a smile. "'Twill cool him, perchance." "None of them are deep," I cried hastily. "I--" But Lord Strepp stopped me with a swift gesture. "Yes," he said, "I knew. I could see. But--" He looked at me with troubled eyes. "It is an extraordinary situation. You have spared him, and--he will not wish to be spared, I feel sure. Most remarkable case." "Well, I won't kill him," said I bluntly, having tired of this rubbish. "Damme if I will!" Lord Strepp laughed outright. "It is ridiculous," he said. "Do you return, O'Ruddy, and leave me the care of this business. And," added he, with embarrassed manner, "this mixture is full strange; but--I feel sure--any how, I salute you, sir." And in his bow he paid a sensible tribute to my conduct. Afterward there was nought to do but gather in Paddy and return to the inn. I found my countryman swaggering to and fro before the crowd. Some ignoramus, or some wit, had dubbed him the King of Ireland, and he was playing to the part. "Paddy, you red-headed scandal," said I, "come along now!" When he heard me, he came well enough; but I could not help but feel from his manner that he had made a great concession.