. The social harmony of the district was disturbed, and
that friendly intercourse which should subsist between neighbors, was
either suspended or destroyed. A fierce spirit of exacerbation and
jealousy was created, and men looked Upon each other with bitterness and
resentment; whilst to complete the absurdity, neither party could
boast of a single convert to attest the glory of the triumph which each
claimed.

At this period, the character of the Castle Cumber yeomanry corps, or as
they were called, M'Clutchy's Blood-hounds, was unquestionably in such
infamous odor with all but bigots, in consequence of their violence
when upon duty, that a few of the more mild and benevolent gentry of the
neighborhood, came to the determination of forming a corps composed of
men not remarkable for the extraordinary and exclusive loyalty which put
itself forth in so many offensive and oppressive forms. Deaker's Dashers
were by no means of such rancid bigotry as M'Clutchy's men, although
they were, heaven knows, much worse than they ought to have been.

Their most unjustifiable excesses, however, Were committed in his
absence, and without his orders; for it is due to Deaker himself to
say, that, although a staunch political Protestant and infidel, he never
countenanced violence against those who differed from him in creed.
Deaker's creed was a very peculiar one, and partook of the comic
profligacy which marked his whole life. He believed, for instance,
that Protestantism was necessary, but could not for the life of him
understand the nature or tendency of religion. As he himself said, the
three great Protestant principles and objects of his life were--to drink
the "Glorious Memory "--"To hell with the Pope"--merely because he was
not a Protestant--and to "die whistling the Boyne Water." If he could
accomplish these successfully, he thought he had discharged his duty to
his king and country, and done all that could be fairly expected from an
honest and loyal Protestant. And, indeed, little, if anything else, in
a religious way, was expected from him, or from any other person, at the
period of which we write.

Be this, however, as it may, the formation of a new corps of cavalry was
determined on, and by unanimous consent, the conduct of the matter in
all its departments was entrusted to Mr. Hartley, the gentleman already
mentioned, as selected to contest the county against Lord Cumber or his
brother, for it had not yet been decided on be