ere. I can do every thing but that. I have a son myself,
an' my hands is tied against blood till I find him out. I could like to
see some people withered, but I can't kill."

"Well, except her case, we understand one another. Good night, then."

"You must work that for yourself. Good night."

CHAPTER VI.

In the mean time a circumstance occurred which scarcely any person who
heard it could at first believe. About twelve o'clock the next day the
house of Lamh Laudher More was surrounded with an immense crowd, and the
whole town seemed to be in a state of peculiar animation and excitement.
Groups met, stood, and eagerly accosted each other upon some topic that
evidently excited equal interest and astonishment.

LAMH LAUDHER OGE HAD CHALLENGED THE DEAD BOXER.

True. On that morning, at an early hour, the proscribed young man waited
upon the Sovereign of the town, and requested to see him. Immediately
after his encounter with the black the preceding night, and while Ellen
Neil offered to compensate him for the obloquy she had brought upon his
name, he formed the dreadful resolution of sending him a challenge. In
very few words he stated his intention to the Sovereign, who looked upon
him as insane.

"No, no," replied that gentleman; "go home, O'Rorke, and banish the idea
out of your head; it is madness."

"But I say yes, yes, with great respect to you, sir," observed Lamh
Laudher. "I've been banished from my father's house, and treated with
scorn by all that know me, because they think me a coward. Now I'll let
them know I'm no coward."

"But you will certainly be killed," said,the Sovereign.

"That's to be seen," observed the young man; "at all events, I'd as soon
be killed as livin' in disgrace. I'll thank you, sir, as the head of the
town, to let the black know that Lamh Laudher Oge will fight him."

"For heaven's sake, reflect a moment upon the----"

"My mind's made up to fight," said the other, interrupting him. "No
power on earth will prevent me, sir. So, if you don't choose to send the
challenge, I'll bring it myself."

The Sovereign shook his head, as if conscious of what the result must
be.

"That is enough," said he; "as you are fixed on your own destruction,
the challenge will be given; but I trust you will think better of it."

"Let him know, if you please," added Lamh Laudher, "that on to-morrow at
twelve o'clock we must fight."

The magistrate nodded, and Lamh Laudher immediately too