A hunter's life. 187 



Jlaviiij^ spukcii lo my t.lireo broLlicrs-iii-law, Hugh, 

 John, and Thomas McMullen, to stand by me, we went 

 to Shannon, and I asked him if his name was Mr. Shan- 

 non. He said tliat was his name. I remarked that I was 

 informed he had come there to give me a whipping. He 

 said that was liis business there. 



"Well," said I, "if you don't do it, it is not because 

 you are not big enough, for you are a great deal larger 

 man than I am ; but I never will acknowledge it till it is 

 done. At the same time remember, sir, I shall not stand 

 idle while you are at it. But before I am whipped, I wish 

 to know what I am to be whipped for ? " 



"Well," said he, " I have been told that you said you 

 could whip any man who worked on the turnpike, and you 

 ought to remember that there are a great many good men 

 on that road, and I am one of them ; and we don't take 

 banters without a trial." 



" Well, Shannon, I do not intend to make any apology ; 

 but in justice to myself, I say it is a falsehood, and that 

 such a word never escaped my mouth, nor did such a 

 thought ever even enter my mind. Now, sir, do your own 

 will : I don't crave a light with you, nor will I go one step 

 to escape it." 



He seemed at a loss what to do, but said that if I had 

 not used such language, he could not see anything to fight 

 about. I told him that any man who would say to me that 

 I had ever used such language, would not be long telling 

 the lie till I would stop him short. 



"Well, Browning," said he, "I think the fight might as 

 well be let alone." 



" Very well, Shannon," said I, " I am sure it suits me ; 

 and if you are satisfied, I am too." 



"Well," said he, "let us take a glass of whiskey, drop 

 all, and be friends." 



This being agreed on, he called for a glass, and ofiFere^ 



