s parents, whose grief was bitter and
excessive.

When the Dead Boxer heard that he had been challenged, he felt more
chagrin than satisfaction, for his avarice was disappointed; but when he
understood from those members of the corporation who waited on him,
that Lamh Laudher was the challenger, the livid fire of mingled rage and
triumph which blazed in his large bloodshot eyes absolutely frightened
the worthy burghers.

"I'm glad of that," said he--"here, Joe, I desire you to go and get
a coffin made, six feet long and properly wide--we will give him room
enough; tehee! tehee! tehee!--ah! tehee! tehee! tehee! I'm glad,
gentlemen. Herr! agh! tehee! tehee! I'm glad, I'm glad."

In this manner did he indulge in the wild and uncouth glee of a savage
as ferocious as he was powerful.

"We have a quare proverb here, Misther Black," said one of the worthy
burghers, "that, be my sowl, may be you never heard!"

"Tehee! tehee! agh! What is that?" said the Boxer, showing his white
teeth and blubber lips in a furious grin, whilst the eyes which he
fastened on the poor burgher blazed up once more, as if he was about to
annihilate him.

"What is it, sar?"

"Faith," said the burgher, making towards the door, "I'll tell you
that when I'm the safe side o' the room--devil a ha'porth bar-rin' that
neither you nor any man ought to reckon your chickens before they
are hatched. Make money of that;" and after having discharged this
pleasantry at the black, the worthy burgher made a hasty exit down
stairs, followed at a more dignified pace by his companions.

The Dead Boxer, in preparing for battle, observed a series of forms
peculiar to himself, which were certainly of an appalling character. As
a proof that the challenge was accepted, he ordered a black flag,
which he carried about with him, to wave from a window of the inn, a
circumstance which thrilled all who saw it with an awful certainty of
Lamh Laudher's death. He then gave order for the drums to be beaten,
and a dead march to be played before him, whilst he walked slowly up
the town and back, conversing occasionally with some of those who
immediately surrounded him. When he arrived nearly opposite the
market-house, some person pointed out to him a small hut that stood in a
situation isolated from the other houses of the street.

"There," added his informant, "is the house where Lamh Laudher Oge's
aunt lives, and where he himself has lived since he left his father's."

"Ah