"But the inquiry is always very strict after, if it is not, sir--I should not like the effusion of human blood, sir, unless the Riot Act was read, and the thing done regularly,--don't think I care for the d----d rascals a button, sir,--only the regularity, you know; and the effusion of human blood is serious, and the inquiry, too, without the Riot Act. Captain, would you oblige me to fall back a little closer round the court-house, and maintain the freedom of election? Besides, the Riot Act is up-stairs in my desk. The court-house must be protected, you know, and I just want to run up-stairs for the Riot Act; I'll be down again in a moment. Captain, do oblige me--draw your men a _leetle_ closer round the court-house."
"I'm in a better position here, sir," said the captain.
"I thought you were under my command, sir," said the sheriff.
"Under your command to fire, sir, but the choice of position rests with me; and we are stronger where we are; the court-house is completely covered, and while my men are under arms here, you may rely on it the crowd is completely in check without firing a shot."
"You're saving of your gunpowder, I see, sir," said O'Grady to the captain, with a sardonic grin.
"You seem to be equally sparing of your humanity, sir," returned the captain.
"God forbid I should be afraid of a pack of ruffians," said O'Grady.
"Or I of a single one," returned the captain, with a look of stern contempt.
There is no knowing what this bitter bandying of hard words might have led to, had it not been interrupted by the appearance of the sheriff at one of the windows of the court-house; there, with the Riot Act in his hand, he called out:--
"Now I've read it--fire away, boys--fire away!" and all his compunction about the effusion of blood vanished the moment his own miserable carcass was safe from harm. Again he waved the Riot Act from the window, and vociferated, "Fire away, boys!" as loud as his frog-like voice permitted.
"Now, sir, you're ordered to fire," said O'Grady to the captain.
"I'll not obey that order, sir," said the captain; "the man is out of his senses with fear, and I'll not obey such a serious command from a madman."
"Do you dare disobey the orders of the sheriff, sir?" thundered O'Grady.