. So
sudden, so impetuous was the encounter, all effort to prevent it was
impracticable. Muskets were clubbed or bayonets fixed, and in a
moment really serious battle was engaged; the musicians on each side
encouraging their party, as they racked their brains for party-tunes of
the most bitter and taunting character; while cries of "Down with King
William I." "To hell with the Pope?" rose alternately from either side.

How far this spirit might have extended, it is difficult to say, when
the Duke gave orders for some squadrons of cavalry to charge down upon
them, and separate the contending forces. This order was fortunately
in time; for scarcely was it issued, when a west country yeomanry corps
came galloping up to the assistance of the brave Louth.

"Here we are, boys!" cried Mike Westropp, their colonel--"here we are!
lave the way! lave the way for us! and we'll ride down the murthering
Orange villains, every man of them!"

The Louth fell back, and the yeomen came forward at a charge; Westropp
standing high in his stirrups, and flourishing his sabre above his head.
It was just then that a heavy brigade of artillery, unconscious of the
hot work going forward, was ordered to open their fire upon the
Louth militia. One of the guns, by some accident, contained an undue
proportion of wadding, and to this casual circumstance may, in a great
degree, be attributed the happy issue of what threatened to be a serious
disturbance; for, as Westropp advanced, cheering and encouraging his
men, he received this wadding slap in his face. Down he tumbled at once,
rolling over and over with the shock; while, believing that he had got
his death-wound, he bellowed out,

"Oh! blessed Virgin! there's threason in the camp! hit in the face by
a four-pounder, by Jove! Oh! Duke darling! Oh! your Grace! Oh! holy
Joseph, look at this! Oh! bad luck to the arthillery, for spoiling a
fair fight! Peter"--this was the major of the regiment--"Peter Darcy,
gallop into town and lodge informations against the brigade of guns.
I'll be dead before you come back."

A perfect burst of laughter broke from the opposing ranks, and while his
friends crowded round the discomfited leader, the rival bands united
in a roar of merriment that for a moment caused a suspension of
hostilities. For a moment, I say; for scarcely had the gallant Westropp
been conveyed to the rear, when once more the bands struck up their
irritating strains, and preparations for a still