tary character
and prowess. Behind the whole procession, at a little distance, rode
M'Clutchy and M'Slime, graceful Phil having declined the honor of the
expedition altogether, principally, he said, in consequence of the
shortness of the days, and the consequent very sudden approach of night.
We cannot omit to state, that Darby O'Drive was full of consequence and
importance, and led on his followers, with a roll of paper containing
the list of fill those who were to be expelled, rolled up in his hand,
somewhat like a baton of office. Opposed to this display stood a crowd
of poor shivering wretches, with all the marks of poverty and struggle,
and, in many cases, of famine and extreme destitution, about them and
upon them. Women with their half starved children in their arms, many
of them without shoes or stockings--laboring care-worn men, their heads
bound up in cotton handkerchiefs, as intimating illness or recovery
from illness--old men bent over their staves, some with long white hair,
streaming to the breeze, and all with haggard looks of terror, produced
by the well known presence among them of Deaker's Dashers.

And this was Christmas eve--a time of joy and festivity!

Other features were also presented, which gave to this miserable scene
a still more depressing character. The voice of lamentation was loud,
especially from the females, both young and old--all of whom, with some
exceptions, were in tears. Many were rending their hair, others clapping
their hands in distraction--some were kneeling to Heaven to implore
its protection, and not a few to call down its vengeance upon their
oppressors. From many of the men, especially the young and healthy,
came stifled curses, and smothered determinations of deep and fearful
vengeance. Brows darkened, eyes gleamed, and teeth were ground with a
spirit that could neither be mistaken or scarcely condemned. M'Clutchy
was then sowing the wind; but whether at a future day to reap the
whirlwind, we are not now prepared to state.

At length it was deemed time that the ceremony should commence; and
M'Clutchy, armed also with a case of pistols, rode up to Darby:--

"O'Drive, you scoundrel," he shouted--for he saw his enemy, and got
courageous, especially since he had a body of his father's Dashers at
his back--"O'Drive, you scoundrel, do you mean to keep us here all
day? Why don't you commence? Whose is the first name on your list?
The ejectment must proceed," addressing the poo