“We do, sir,” said Fergus, laughing; “not a doubt of it.”  The latter then whispered something to Purcel, who smiled, and immediately turning to the doughty magistrate, said:—­

“Well, sir, since you insist upon protecting me home—­”

“Good—­that’s the word, Alick—­steady boys—­shoulder omes.”

“I will feel very happy, sir, in your escort.”

“Yes, Alick—­yes—­exactly so—­but then we are time enough, man—­the night’s but young yet—­we must have another tumbler before we go—­if it is only to put terror into these villains.”

“I am exceedingly sorry that it is out of my power to wait, sir.  My father and John may possibly come over here, and if they do it is difficult to say what these blood-thirsty villains, who care so little about human life—­especially, sir, when that life belongs to either a tithe-proctor or a magistrate, may do.  You will oblige me very much, sir, by coming with me now.  I wish to heavens I had your courage, Mr. O’Driscol, and that I-was such a wicked and desperate dare-devil as you are.”

“Good, Alick, upon my honor and conscience, you’ve hit me off there—­hallo—­what is this?—­put these pistols and that blunder-bush aside, and be d—­d to you, we don’t want them yet awhile;” this was addressed to the servant who had brought them at Fergus’s suggestion.  “I am a hospitable man, Alick—­a convivial man—­and I tell you that I don’t wish a guest to leave my house with dry lips—­and what is more, I won’t allow it—­sit down then, and take your punch, or if you’re afraid of these fellows why didn’t you say so?”

“I am then, sir,” replied Alick, who thought that by admitting the fact, he might the sooner bring matters between himself and the magistrate to a crisis.

“What!” exclaimed the latter, “you admit your cowardice, do you?—­Well, upon my honor and reputaytion, Alick, I’m extremely surprised at you—­a young fellow like you—­and a coward!  Now I’ll tell you what, Alick, I hate a coward—­I despise a coward, and d—­n me if any man who is mane enough to acknowledge himself to be one, shall have the benefit of my escort this night.  Then stay where you are, sir, and take your punch—­but you are not entitled to any protection; no, confound me if you are!  A nice office for a man of my mettle to escort a coward!—­no, no—­take your punch, I say—­you are safe under this roof, but as touching my protection, no fellow of your kidney shall resave it from me, unless in honest open daylight with a body of police or military at my elbow; and, besides, you have declined my hospitality, Mr. Purcel, and with the man—­but man you are not—­who declines my hospitality, I will keep no terms.  Here’s the ‘Castle!’ long life to it, and may it never have occasion to read me a lecture for protecting a coward!  Steady, men—­shoulder oines!—­ah, I’m a pearl before swine here:—­upon my honor and conscience, I’m nothing else—­hurra!”