In fact, they were completely hemmed in; and, as the road was narrow and the ditches high, they were not at all in a capacity to make resistance.
"Surrender your prisoners," said a huge man in a voice of thunder--"surrender your prisoners--here are we ten to one against you; or if you don't, I swear there won't be a living man amongst you in two minutes' time.

Mark us well--we are every man of us armed--and I will not ask you a second time." As to numbers and weapons the man spoke truth, and the military party saw at once that their prisoners must be given up.
"Let us have full revenge on them now, boys," exclaimed several voices; "down with the tyrannical villains that are parse-cuting and murdherin' the country out of a face.

This night closes their black work;" and as the words were uttered, the military felt themselves environed and pressed in upon by upwards of five-and-twenty sharp and bristling pikes.
"It is true, you may murder us," replied the dragoon; "but we are soldiers, and to die is a soldier's duty.

Stand back," said he, "for, by all that's sacred, if you approach another step, William Reilly and that rebel priest will fall dead at your feet.

We may die then; but we will sell our lives dearly.