my lard an' gintlemen, that I has now done my duty in defendin'
the Purcels and that I've proved to your satisfaction that they ought to
be acquitted."

This harangue of Hourigan's was received with singular alternations of
fierce rage, and mirth that was still fiercer and more frightful. At the
conclusion of it there was a loud stamping of feet, accompanied by an
exulting uproar of approbation. Silence, however, being called, the
jurors put their heads together across the table, and in less than two
minutes their foreman handed up the issue paper to a person who acted as
register and secretary to the meeting. On receipt of this, that worthy
functionary, in a solemn, deep, and barely audible voice, read a verdict
of "guilty," which was received in solemn silence by the assembly.

The judge then rose, and in a voice that was also solemn but distinct,
pronounced the sentence of the court to be--"Death and dark destruction
to Matthew Purcel and his sons," with an order that it should be carried
into execution on that very night. The judge then addressed them at some
length, pretty closely to the following effect:

"Now, my friends," said he, "there is no man in this building who has
not before now been engaged in affairs of danger and of death. Every one
of you is the leader of a party of determined fellows, who fear nothing.
Our business is--to susteen the oppressed, to crush tyrants, and to
right those who have been wronged. I am not sorry that the person in
command over me is absent to-night, for I look upon the office I hold,
and the exploit we are engaged on, as a high honor. If that person,
however, is not with us he is engeeged for us, and will send us a strong
reinforcement in the course of the night. I don't expect that the attack
on Purcel's house will deteen us long, and after that we have other
visits to meek, and several fields of pasture to dig up. You all know
who I mane when I mention the man that has authority over us."

"We do," replied the crowd; "three cheers for _him!_" This was
accordingly responded to, and the speaker proceeded.

"You are to understand," said he, "that Purcel and his two sons are this
night to die, and their house and pleece to be reduced to ashes. There
is one thing, however, that I must strongly impress upon you--remember
that you are not to injure any of the faymales of the family in the
slightest degree. The second daughter must be taken and brought to a
mounted guard that wi