y; "I'm able to lick e'er
a Keenan that ever went on nate's leather--an' that's my chat."

A blow from Keenan in reply was like a spark to gunpowder. In a moment
the cavern presented a scene singularly tragic-comic; the whole party
was one busy mass of battle, with the exception of Ted and Batt, and the
wife of the latter, who, having first hastily put aside everything that
might be injured, stood enjoying the conflict with most ferocious glee,
the schoolmaster having already withdrawn himself to his chair. Even
Barney Broghan, the fool, could not keep quiet, but on the contrary,
thrust himself into the quarrel, and began to strike indiscriminately at
all who came in his way, until an unlucky blow on the nose happening,
to draw his claret very copiously, he made a bound up behind the sill,
uttering a series of howlings, as from time to time he looked at his own
blood, that were amusing in the extreme. As it happened, however, the
influence of liquor was too strong upon both parties to enable them
to inflict on each other any serious injury. Such, however, was the
midnight pastime of the still-house when our friend Hycy entered.

"What in the devil's name--or the guager's--which is worse--" he asked,
addressing himself to Batt and Teddy, "is the meaning of all this?"

"Faith, you know a'most as much about it," replied Hogan, laughing, "as
we do; they got drunk, an' that accounts for it."

"Mr. Burke," said Finigan, who was now quite tipsy; "I am delighted to
be able to--to--yes, it is he," he added, speaking to himself--"to see
you well."

"I have my doubts as to that, Mr. Finigan," replied Hycy.

"Fame, Mr. Burke," continued the other, "has not been silent with regard
to your exploits. Your horsemanship, sir, and the trepid pertinacity
with which you fasten upon the reluctant society of men of rank, have
given you a notorious celebrity, of which your worthy father, honest
Jemmy, as he is called, ought to be justly proud. And you shine, Mr.
Burke, in the loves as well as in the--_tam veneri quam_--I was about to
add _Marti_, but it would be inappropriate, or might only remind you
of poor Biddy Martin. It is well known you are a most accomplished
gintleman, Mr. Burke--_homo fadus ad unguem--ad unguem_."

Hycy would have interrupted the schoolmaster, but that he felt puzzled
as to whether he spoke seriously or ironically; his attention besides
was divided between him and the party in conflict.

"Come," said he, add