the Lord have mercy on your soul." With one hand he gripped
Murphy by the throat, holding him at arm's length, and raised his huge
fist to strike. But before the blow fell he paused.

"No!" he muttered, in a disappointed tone, "it is not good enough. I
will not be demeaning myself. Hence, you r-r-a-a-t!" As he spoke he
lifted the shaking wretch as if he had been a bundle of clothes, swung
him half round and hurled him crashing through the window.

"Is there no goot man here at all who will stand before me?" he raged
in a wild, joyous fury. "Will not two of you come forth, then?" No one
moved. "Come to me!" he suddenly cried, and snatching two of the enemy,
he dashed their heads together, and threw them insensible on the floor.

Then he caught sight of his brother for the first time lying in the
corner with Big Mack supporting his head, and LeNoir standing near.

"What is this? What is this?" he cried, striding toward LeNoir. "And is
it you that has done this work?" he asked, in a voice of subdued rage.

"Oui!" cried LeNoir, stepping back and putting up his hands, "das me;
Louis LeNoir! by Gar!" He struck himself on the breast as he spoke.

"Out of my way!" cried Macdonald, swinging his open hand on the
Frenchman's ear. With a swift sweep he brushed LeNoir aside from his
place, and ignoring him stooped over his brother. But LeNoir was no
coward, and besides his boasted reputation was at stake. He thought
he saw his chance, and rushing at Macdonald as he was bending over his
brother, delivered his terrible 'lash'. But Macdonald had not lived with
and fought with Frenchmen all these years without knowing their tricks
and ways. He saw LeNoir's 'lash' coming, and quickly turning his head,
avoided the blow.

"Ah! would ye? Take that, then, and be quate!" and so saying, he caught
LeNoir on the side of the head and sent him to the floor.

"Keep him off a while, Yankee!" said Macdonald, for LeNoir was up again,
and coming at him.

Then kneeling beside his brother he wiped the bloody froth that was
oozing from his lips, and said in a low, anxious tone:

"Hugh, bhodaich (old man), are ye hurted? Can ye not speak to me, Hugh?"

"Oich-oh," Black Hugh groaned. "It was a necessity--Donald man--and--he
took me--unawares--with his--keeck."

"Indeed, and I'll warrant you!" agreed his brother, "but I will be
attending to him, never you fear."

Macdonald was about to rise, when his brother caught his arm.

"You will--not be