“Take the lists then and proceed,” said the leader; “we have little time to lose.”

Lynch then called over a list until he had reached a hundred; every man, as he answered to his name, also repeated his number; as for instance,

“Tom Halloran.”

“Here—­one!”

“Peter Rafferty!”

“Here—­two!” and so on, until the requisite number was completed, and every man as he responded fell also into rank.

Having thus got them into line, he gave them a rather hasty drill; and this being over, hundred after hundred went through the same process of roll-call and manoeuvre, until the task of the night was completed, so-far, at least, as that particular duty was concerned.  Other duties, however, in more complete keeping with their wild and demon-like appearance, were still to be performed.  Short rolls were called, by which selections for the assemblage of such as had been previously marked down for the robbery of arms, were made with considerable promptitude.  And, indeed, most of those to whom, such outrageous and criminal attacks wera assigned, seemed to feel flattered by being appointed to the performance of them.

At length, when these matters were, arranged, and completed, the whole body was ordered to fall into rank, and the large-man, who acted as leader, walked for a times up and down in front of them, after which, as nearly opposite their centre as possible, he deliberately knelt down, and held his two open palms across each other for some seconds, or perhaps for half a minute.

A low fearful murmur, which no language could describe, and no imagination conceive—­without having heard it, ran along the whole line.  Whether it proceeded from compassion or exultation, or a blending of both mingled with horror and aversion, or a diabolical, satisfaction, it is difficult or rather absolutely impossible to say.  The probability is, however, that it was made up of all these feelings, and that it was their unnatural union, expressed under such wild and peculiar circumstances, that gave it the impressive and dreadful effect wo have described.

“What does he mane?” said some of the youthful and inexperienced portion of them, in the accustomed whisper.

“There’s a death to take place to-night,” replied an older member; “there’s either a man or family doomed, God knows which!” He then arose, and going along the front:  rank, selected by name twenty-four individuals, who were made to stand in order; to one of these he whispered the name and residence of the victim; this one immediately whispered the secret to the person next him, who communicated it in his turn, and thus it went round until the last had received it.  This being accomplished, he stood apart from the appointed murderers, and made them all, one after another, whisper to him the name and residence as before.