ll swing yet; but listen." As she
spoke her words were hoarse and low, there was a volume of powerful
strength in her voice which stunned one like the roar of a lioness.
"Here," she exclaimed, her voice now all at once rising or rather
shooting up to a most terrific scream--"here's a disgraceful death to
Hycy Burke! and may all that's good and prosperous in this world, ay,
and in the next, attend Bryan M'Mahon, the honest man! Now, Philip, my
man, see how I drink them both." And, having concluded, she swallowed
the glass of whiskey, and again drawing her face within an inch of his
she glared right into his eyes.

"Howl me," he shouted, "or I'll sthrike, an' we'll have a death in the
house."

She raised one hand and waved it behind her, as an intimation that they
should not interfere.

The laughter of the brothers now passed all bounds. "No, Kate, go on--we
won't interfere. You had better seize him."

"No," she replied, "let him begin first, if he dar."

"Howl me," shouted Philip, "she'll only be killed."

Another peal of laughter was the sole reply given to this by the
brothers. "He's goin'," they exclaimed, "he's gone--the white fedher's
in him--it's all over wid him--he's afeerd of her, an' not for nothing
either--ha! ha! ha! more power, Kate!"

Stung by the contemptuous derision contained in this language, Philip
was stepping back in order to give himself proper room for a blow, when,
on the very instant that he moved, Kate, uttering something between a
howl and a yell, dashed her huge hands into his throat--which was, as
is usual with tinkers, without a cravat--and in a moment a desperate and
awful struggle took place between them. Strong as Philip was, he found
himself placed perfectly on the defensive by the terrific grip which
this furious opponent held of his throat. So powerful was it, indeed,
that not a single instant was allowed him for the exercise of any
aggressive violence against her by a blow, all his strength being
directed to unclasp her hands from his throat that he might be permitted
to breathe. As they pulled and tugged, however, it was evident that the
struggle was going against him--a hoarse, alarming howl once or twice
broke from him, that intimated terror and distress on his part.

"That's right, Kate," they shouted, "you have him--press tight--the
windpipe's goin'--bravo! he'll soon stagger an' come down, an' then you
may do as you like."

They tugged on, and dragged, and panted, wit