The people were now roused, and thoroughly defeated the police, who were forced to fly to the lines of the military party for protection; having effected this object, the crowd retained their position, and did not attempt to assault the soldiers, though a very firm and louring front was presented to them, and shouts of defiance against the "Peelers"[26] rose loud and long.
[26] The name given to the police by the people--the force being first established by Sir Robert Peel, then Mr. Peel, Secretary for Ireland.
"A round of ball cartridge would cool their courage," said O'Grady.
The English officer in command of the party, looking with wonder and reproach upon him, asked if _he_ had the command of the party.
"No, sir;--the sheriff, of course;--but if I were in his place, I'd soon disperse the rascals."
"Did you ever witness the _effect_ of a fusilade, sir?" inquired the officer.
"No, sir," said O'Grady, gruffly; "but I suppose I know pretty well what it is."
"For the sake of humanity, sir, I hope you do not, or I am willing to believe you would not talk so lightly of it; but it is singular how much fonder civilians are of urging measures that end in blood, than those whose profession is arms, and who know how disastrous is their use."
The police were ordered to advance again and seize the "ringleaders:" they obeyed unwillingly; but being saluted with some stones, their individual wrath was excited, and they advanced to chastise the mob, who again drove them back; and a nearer approach to the soldiers was made by the crowd in the scuffle which ensued.
"Now, will you fire?" said O'Grady to the sheriff.
The sheriff, who was a miserable coward, was filled with dread at the threatening aspect of the mob, and wished to have his precious person under shelter before hostilities commenced; so, with pallid lips, and his teeth chattering with fear, he exclaimed:--
"No! no! no!--don't fire--don't fire--don't be precipitate: besides, I haven't read the Riot Act."
"There's no necessity for firing, I should say," said the captain.
"I thought not, captain--I hope not, captain," said the sheriff, who now assumed a humane tone. "Think of the effusion of blood, my dear sir," said he to O'Grady, who was grinning like a fiend all the time--"the sacrifice of human life--I couldn't, sir--I can't, sir--besides, the Riot Act--haven't it about me--must be read, you know, Mister O'Grady."