in the altercation,
now interfered; and with feelings which he found it nearly impossible to
restrain, pointed out to them the wanton cruelty of such conduct towards
both the living and the dead. "I am ashamed of you," said he, "as
countrymen, as Irishmen. Your treatment of this poor heartbroken woman,
amidst her desolation and sorrow, is a disgrace to the country that
gave you birth, and to the religion you profess, if, indeed, you profess
any."

"Come, come, my good fellow," said Sharpe, "what is it you say about my
religion? I tell you I'll allow no man to spake a syllable against my
religion; so keep quiet if you're wise, and don't attack that, otherwise
don't be surprised if I make you dance the devil's hornpipe in half a
shake, great a hairo as you are."

"And yet you felt no scruple in just now insulting religion, in the
person of this reverend gentleman who never offended you."

"Him! why what the hell is he but a priest?"

"And the more entitled to your respect on that account--but since you
are so easily excited in defence of your own creed, why so ready to
attack in such offensive and insulting language that of another?"

"Come, come, Sharpe," said another of them, "are we to be here all
day--whatever we're to do let us do it at once; if the fellow's dead,
why he has had a devilish good escape of it, and if not, let us clap him
on a horse, that is, provided he's able to travel. I think myself he has
got the start of us, and that the wind's out of him."

"Take your time," said Steele, who felt anxious to avenge his defeat
upon some one, "we must know, that before ever we leave the house--and
by the great Boyne, the first person that goes between me and him will
get the contents of this," and as he uttered the words he coolly and
deliberately cocked the gun, and was advancing as before to the dead
body.

"Holdback," said Harman, in a voice which made the man start, whilst
with a firm tread and resolute eye, he stood face to face before him;
"hold back, and dare not violate that sacred and awful privilege, which
in every country and creed under heaven is sufficient to protect the
defenceless dead. What can be your object in this? are you men--have
you the spirit, the courage, of men? If you are human beings, is not
the sight of that unhappy fellow-creature--I hope he is happy
now,--stretched out in death before you, sufficient, by the very
stillness of departed life, to calm the brutal frenzy of your pa