, confided to him, but
every other consideration for the moment. With the spring of a tiger he
leaped towards the black, who by the act was completely thrown off his
guard. This was more than O'Rorke expected. The opportunity, however,
he did not suffer to pass; with the rapidity of lightning he struck the
savage on the neck, immediately under the ear. The Dead Boxer fell,
and from his ears, nostrils, and mouth the clear blood sprung out,
streaking, in a fearful manner, his dusky neck and chest. His second ran
to raise him, but his huge woolly head fell from side to side with an
appearance of utter lifelessness. In a few minutes, however, he rallied,
and began to snort violently, throwing his arms and limbs about him with
a quivering energy, such as, in strong men who die unwasted by disease,
frequently marks the struggle of death. At length he opened his eyes,
and after fastening them upon his triumphant opponent with one last
glare of hatred and despair, he ground his teeth, clenched his gigantic
hands, and stammering out, "Fury of hell! I--I--damnation!" This was his
last exclamation, for he suddenly plunged again, extended his shut fist
towards Lamh Laudher, as if he would have crushed him even in death,
then becoming suddenly relaxed, his head fell upon his shoulder, and
after one groan, he expired on the very spot where he had brought
together the apparatus of death for another.

CHAPTER VIII.

When the spectators saw and heard what had occurred, their acclamations
rose to the sky; cheer after cheer pealed from the graveyard over a
wide circuit of the country. With a wild luxury of triumph they seized
O'Rorke, placed him on their shoulders, and bore him in triumph through
every street in the town. All kinds of mad but good-humored excesses
were committed. The public houses were filled with those who had
witnessed the fight, songs were sung, healths were drank, and blows
given. The streets, during the remainder of the day, were paraded by
groups of his townsmen belonging to both factions, who on that occasion
buried their mutual animosity in exultation for his victory.

The worthy burghers of the corporation, who had been both frightened
and disgusted at the dark display made by the Dead Boxer previous to
the tight, put his body in the coffin that had been intended for Lamh
Laudher, and without any scruple, took it up, and went in procession
with the black flag before them, the death bell again tolling, a