ome to me and made affidavit of the language stated, I would have
consithered it my duty to commit you. Such language, sirra, was
seditious!"

"Yes," replied Hourigan, "and you would be right; but there is not one
word of truth in what Mr. Purcel says, your worship; for instead of
that, plaise your reverence, when I threatened to come to you to get the
law against him--'I'll go to Squire Driscol,' says I, 'and that's
the gintleman that will give me justice at any rate.' 'You and Squire
Driscol may go be hanged,' says he; 'I don't regard him a traneen; he
thinks, since he has been made into a justice of pace, that the ground's
not worthy to carry him,' says he. Can you deny that, Mr. John?"

Purcel's limbs began to move, and his very flesh to creep with
indignation at the impudent but artful falsehoods of Hourigan, who was
likely to succeed in touching the magistrate's weak points with such
effect as to gain him over to his side.

The worthy official shook his head with a kind of very high-minded
pride, as much as to say, I am far above the level of such observations.

"Mr. Purcel," said he--"he--hem--hem--I am sorry to hear that you could
give way to such extramely indiscreet and disrespectful language as
this."

"Swear him, sir," said Purcel, "and let him be put to his oath, for I
protest to heaven, Mr. O'Driscol, and as I am, I trust, an honest man,
I never once mentioned your name, nor was there the slightest allusion
made to it--none, sir, whatever."

"The truth is, I should think it very, strange, Mr. Purcel, and very
odd, and very unfriendly and disenganious in you to spake of any
magistrate in such a style as that. However, Sam, take the book and
swear Hourigan."

Sam accordingly took the book, and putting it into Hourigan's hand,
said, "You shall make true answers to such questions as shall be put to
you, and swear the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth,
so help you God, and one-and-sixpence to me!"

"Never mind the one-and-sixpence at present, Sam," said his master, "he
owes you nothing now. Proceed."

Hourigan's thumb had the genuine angle on the back of the book, but it
did not escape Sam, who said, "You intend to kiss your thumb, Hourigan,
but it's no go; here, sir, stand there, so that the book won't be a
screen for you; turn round--there now--proceed."

Hourigan, finding that the evasion in this instance was impracticable,
gave it a strong, derisive smack that might be heard outs