“Tut! you foolish cowardly girl, go to bed--you play loo very well, and have won seven-and-sixpence from me to-night. That's your province. No, upon my sowl and honor, I'll see him home. What! is it for the intelligent and determined O'Driscol, as your brother John said--and who is well known to be a very divil incarnate when danger's before him--is it for such a man--the terror of evil-doers--to funk from a crew of White-boys! What would my friend the Castle say if it knew it?--divil resave the line ever it would correspond with me again. Get me my pistols, I say--a case for each pocket, and the blunderbush under my arm--then come on, M'Donough, as the play says, and blazes to him who runs last.” Here he gave a lurch a little to the one side, after which he placed himself in something intended for a military attitude, and drawing his hand down his whiskers, he inflated himself as if about to give the word of command, “Soldiers, steady,”--here he gave another lurch--“recover omes (arms)--charge bayonets--present--halt--to the right about--double quick--:bravo--you see what I could do, if placed in a military position.” “We do, sir,” said Fergus, laughing; “not a doubt of it.” The latter then whispered something to Purcel, who smiled, and immediately turning to the doughty magistrate, said:-- “Well, sir, since you insist upon protecting me home--” “Good--that's the word, Alick--steady boys--shoulder omes.” “I will feel very happy, sir, in your escort.” “Yes, Alick--yes--exactly so--but then we are time enough, man--the night's but young yet--we must have another tumbler before we go--if it is only to put terror into these villains.” “I am exceedingly sorry that it is out of my power to wait, sir. My father and John may possibly come over here, and if they do it is difficult to say what these blood-thirsty villains, who care so little about human life--especially, sir, when that life belongs to either a tithe-proctor or a magistrate, may do. You will oblige me very much, sir, by coming with me now. I wish to heavens I had your courage, Mr. O'Driscol, and that I-was such a wicked and desperate dare-devil as you are.” “Good, Alick, upon my honor and conscience, you've hit me off there--hallo--what is this?--put these pistols and that blunder-bush aside, and be d--d to you, we don't want them yet awhile;” this was addressed to the servant who had brought them at Fergus's suggestion. “I am a hospitable man, Alick--a convivial man--and I tell you that I don't wish a guest to leave my house with dry lips--and what is more, I won't allow it--sit down then, and take your punch, or if you're afraid of these fellows why didn't you say so?” “I am then, sir,” replied Alick, who thought that by admitting the fact, he might the sooner bring matters between himself and the magistrate to a crisis.