LIFE IN IRELAND 51 



heroes scorned to fly. ' By Jasus ! ' said Sir Shawn, 

 ' if ever I run from a watchman may I be piked with 

 a pitchfork for a rebel!' — 'And if I do,' said Brian, 

 'may the Devil run a hunting with my soul! ' — To it 

 they went ; ' Lather away wid your oak stick ! ' was the 

 cry ; and in five minutes the guardians of Suffolk-street, 

 Crow-street, and Parliament-street were thrown off their 

 guard OTi the flass, with black eyes and broken heads. 

 Lanthorns rung in the air like shells in an engagement ; 

 and one, propelled by the sinewy hoof of Brian Boru, 

 fell right upon the Lundy-taker of Serjeant Mulrany, 

 who was hastening to the scene of action with a file of 

 police ruffians. ' Och, by my soul ! ' cried the Serjeant, 

 ' 'tis only the watchmen getting kilt by the College 

 boys; sweet bad luck to them, and all that take their 

 part, dead or alive ! ' when picking up the lanthorn, and 



rubbing his nose, he marched off, d ng ' the lazy 



leather-eared thieves, and those that appointed 'em.' 



The battle, though very unequal, was most manfully 

 contested, w^hen a blow from the stick of a huge over- 

 grown Castle-fed watchman laid Brian Boru on his 

 all-fours. The chairman who carried Capt. Gramma- 

 chree bawl'd out, ' Fair play, my honeys ! let him up.' 

 — ' Let him up ! ' bellowed Guardy ; ' by Jasus, if you 

 had as much trouble to get him dowai as I have, you 

 woulden't be in a hurry to let him rise again.' — 'Och, 

 and if that be the go,' said the chairman, 'here's at 

 you ! it never shall be said we stood by to see a man 

 foul used, and not to try to I'escuate him.' Out came 

 the poles, and descended upon the Charleys, like Oscar 

 with his iron flail thrashing the spirits of the clounds. 

 They fell on every side j and Brian, once more upon 



