wever, the quarrel was got under; and, in order to
prevent any more bloodshed that night, my brother and I got the Kellys
together, and brought them as far as our residence, on their way home.
As they went along, they uttered awful vows, and determinations of the
deepest revenge, swearing repeatedly that they would shoot Grimes from
behind a ditch, if they could not in any other manner have his blood.
They seemed highly intoxicated; and several of them were cut and abused
in a dreadful manner; even the women were in such a state of excitement
and alarm, that grief for the deceased was, in many instances,
forgotten. Several of both sexes were singing; some laughing with
triumph at the punishment they had inflicted on the enemy; others of
them, softened by what they had drunk, were weeping in tones of sorrow
that might be heard a couple of miles off. Among the latter were many
of the men, some of whom, as they staggered along, with their frieze
big coats hanging off one shoulder, clapped their hands, and roared
like bulls, as if they intended, by the loudness of their grief then, to
compensate for their silence when sober. It was also quite ludicrous to
see the men kissing each other, sometimes in this maudlin sorrow, and at
others when exalted into the very madness of mirth. Such as had been
cut in the scuffle, on finding the blood trickle down their faces, would
wipe it off--then look at it, and break out into a parenthetical volley
of curses against the Grimeses; after which, they would resume their
grief, hug each other in mutual sorrow, and clap their hands as before.
In short, such a group could be seen nowhere but in Ireland.

When my brother and I had separated from them, I asked him what had
become of Vengeance, and if he were still in the country.

"No," said he; "with all his courage and watchfulness, he found that
his life was not safe; he, accordingly, sold off his property, and
collecting all his ready cash, emigrated to America, where, I hear, he
is doing well."

"God knows," I replied, "I shouldn't be surprised if one-half of the
population were to follow his example, for the state of society here,
among the lower orders, is truly deplorable."

"Ay, but you are to consider now," he replied, "that you have been
looking at the worst of it. If you pass an unfavorable opinion upon
our countrymen when in the public house or the quarrel, you ought to
remember what they are under their own roofs, and in all th