manner which no
words could convey. He seemed transformed; he was actually like a man
possessed. Was it possible, I thought, that I beheld the courteous
gentleman, the gay, good-humoured retailer of amusing anecdote with
whom, scarce two days ago, I had laughed and chatted, in the blasphemous
and murderous ruffian who glared and stormed before me!

O'Connor interposed, and requested that time should not be unnecessarily
lost.

'You have not got a second coat on?' inquired the Captain. 'I beg
pardon, but my duty to my friend requires that I should ascertain the
point.'

O'Connor replied in the negative. The Captain expressed himself as
satisfied, adding, in what he meant to be a complimentary strain, 'that
he knew Mr. O'Connor would scorn to employ padding or any unfair mode of
protection.'

There was now a breathless silence. O'Connor stood perfectly motionless;
and, excepting the death-like paleness of his features, he exhibited
no sign of agitation. His eye was steady--his lip did not tremble--his
attitude was calm. The Captain, having re-examined the priming of
the pistols, placed one of them in the hand of Fitzgerald.--M'Donough
inquired whether the parties were prepared, and having been answered
in the affirmative, he proceeded to give the word, 'Ready.' Fitzgerald
raised his hand, but almost instantly lowered it again. The crowd had
pressed too much forward as it appeared, and his eye had been unsteadied
by the flapping of the skirt of a frieze riding-coat worn by one of the
spectators.

'In the name of my principal,' said the Captain, 'I must and do insist
upon these gentlemen moving back a little. We ask but little; fair play,
and no favour.'

The crowd moved as requested. M'Donough repeated his former question,
and was answered as before. There was a breathless silence. Fitzgerald
fixed his eye upon O'Connor. The appointed signal, 'Ready, fire!' was
given. There was a pause while one might slowly reckon three--Fitzgerald
fired--and O'Connor fell helplessly upon the ground.

'There is no time to be lost,' said M'Creagrh; 'for, by ----, you have
done for him.'

So saying, he threw himself upon his horse, and was instantly followed
at a hard gallop by Fitzgerald.

'Cold-blooded murder, if ever murder was committed,' said O'Grady. 'He
shall hang for it; d--n me, but he shall.'

A hopeless attempt was made to overtake the fugitives; but they were
better mounted than any of their pursuers, and escaped