“Now” said he, “there you stand:  let one-half of you drub the other out of the vessel, and the conquerors shall get their passage.”

Instant was the struggle that ensued for the sake of securing a passage, and from the anxiety to save a shilling, by getting out of Liverpool on that day.  The saving of the shilling is indeed a consideration with Paddy which drives him to the various resources of begging, claiming kindred with his resident countrymen in England, pretended illness, coming to be passed from parish to parish, and all the turnings and shiftings which his reluctance to part with money renders necessary.  Another night, therefore, and probably another day, in Liverpool, would have been attended with expense.  This argument prevailed with all:  with Munster as well as with Connaught, and they fought accordingly.

When the attack first commenced, each, party hoped to be able to expel the other without blows.  This plan was soon abandoned.  In a few minutes the sticks and fists were busy.  Throttling, tugging, cuffing, and knocking down—­shouting, hallooing, huzzaing, and yelling, gave evident proofs that the captain, in embracing Phil’s proposal, had unwittingly applied the match to a mine, whose explosion was likely to be attended with disastrous consequences.  As the fight became warm, and the struggle more desperate, the hooks and scythes were resorted to; blood began to flow, and men to fall, disabled and apparently dying.  The immense crowd which had now assembled to witness the fight among the Irishmen, could not stand tamely by, and see so many lives likely to be lost, without calling in the civil authorities.  A number of constables in a few minutes attended; but these worthy officers of the civil authorities experienced very uncivil treatment from the fists, cudgels, and sickles of both parties.  In fact, they were obliged to get from among the rioters with all possible celerity, and to suggest to the magistrates the necessity of calling ir the military.

In the meantime the battle rose into a furious and bitter struggle for victory.  The deck of the vessel was actually slippery with blood, and many were lying in an almost lifeless state.  Several were pitched into the hold, and had their legs and arms broken by the fall; some were tossed over the sides of the vessel, and only saved from drowning by the activity of the sailors; and not a few of those who had been knocked down in the beginning of the fray were trampled into insensibility.

The Munster men at length gave way; and their opponents, following up their advantage, succeeded in driving them to a man out of the vessel, just as the military arrived.  Fortunately their interference was unnecessary.  The ruffianly captain’s object was accomplished; and as no lives were lost, nor any injury more serious than broken bones and flesh-wounds sustained, he got the vessel in readiness, and put to sea.