ith one hand, in the
other he flourished a formidable shillaly, which he usually carried, as
he declared, in order to keep the peace when more warlike weapons could
not be used. Below him stood half-a-dozen watchmen, who, in angry
tones, were ordering him to come down, while he, in eloquent language,
was asserting his right to be where he was, and proclaiming his
intention of remaining there as long as suited his pleasure. Every now
and then the watchmen made a rush at him with their cudgels, the blows
from which his faithful shillaly enabled him to ward off, and
occasionally to bestow a pretty heavy tap on the heads of the most
daring of his assailants.

"`Is it breaking the peace I am, do ye say?' he exclaimed. `Not at all
at all. It's you are doing the same, and running the risk of getting
your on heads broken as the consequence. Now be off wid you, and lave a
quietly-disposed citizen to his meditations.'

"I kept out of sight to see what would happen next. At length the
watchmen lost patience. While three of their number remained at a
respectful distance from the heavy end of the shillaly to prevent Paddy
from escaping, the others went off, as I supposed, for a ladder and
further assistance. Hazledine, fearless of consequences, sat smoking
his cigar with perfect composure. Presently a dozen watchmen came
trooping up, some armed with sticks and others with crow-bars and
pick-axes and spades. Their object was evident. While one party began
digging away round the lamp-post, the others defended them by fierce
assaults with their sticks on the gallant lieutenant's legs, giving him
enough to do for their defence, and thus preventing him from bringing
down his weapon on the heads of their comrades. Still he showed every
intention of keeping his seat, and notwithstanding the violent shaking
which the working party gave the post as they got near the heel, he held
on. At length, several stout fellows putting their shoulders to it, up
it came, but instead of toppling it over, away they marched, carrying
off Paddy in triumph, as they thought, to the watch-house; but they
little knew the man they had got hold of. He seemed to enjoy the fun,
and sat smoking as before, and occasionally indulging in a quiet laugh.
Suddenly uttering a wild Irish shout, he sprang over the heads of his
bearers, and with a whirl of his shillaly, scattering those who
attempted to stop him, he darted down a narrow lane, the end of which
t