WINTER SHOOTING. 345 



twinges, has named an early day for his departure. 

 To be caught by the gout here would be a hazardous 

 experiment ; and the portmanteau, whose captivity 

 was likely to occasion such desperate results, is again 

 packed and confided to Andy Bawn. But the com- 

 mander's baggage is not to be exposed to a second 

 interruption. The attempt was fatal to Mr. Burke ; 

 for, emboldened by the feud, which his unadvised 

 aggression created between my kinsman and this modern 

 Cacus, the Sweenies* seized the opportunity, and the 

 outlaw was arrested in a whisky-house, tried, and escaped 

 by a miracle from being hanged, — but was, alas 1 con- 

 signed to Australasia for the course of his natural life. 

 To do Mr. Burke justice, he left his native soil with 

 regret. Finding all chance of commuted punishment 

 over, he endeavoured to obtain his liberty by an ingenious 

 plan to strangle the turnkeys, and emancipate all and 

 every victim of judicial tyranny who pleased to accept 

 his freedom. He did, poor man, make an excellent 

 offer to choke a jailer — but fortune frowned upon the 

 attempt ; the half-throttled janitor was saved — and the 

 hero of the bridge of Ballyveeney will cross the equator 

 at the the public expense. 



To-morrow, wind and weather permitting, the com- 

 mander takes his departure, and to-night will conse- 

 quently be a high and solemn festival. Would it were 

 over ' f cannot, dare not, offer an excuse for cavilling 

 at bumpers, even were they " fathoms deep ; " and all 

 the consolation that an aching head will claim to-morrow, 

 will be a saw from old John about " the dog that bit me,** 



* This numerous clan derive their origin from a Northman. 

 They are, I know not with what justice, reckoned a treacherous 

 and vindictive tribe, and a tend with them is consequently held to 

 be a dangerous affair. 



