The Peep O'day Author:John Banim Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: A proposal from Mr. Burke, their Clonmel friend, to guide them to the spot, was immediately accepted ; and, though the sun grew fierce in his strength, they reso... more »lved to proceed on foot, for he promised to lead them hy a short cut through fields and meadows. The breeze of the open country was reviving, and they would saunter along, resting in the occasional shade, and by the side of clear cool brooks : no hurry was in the case ; indeed it were better to come upon the scene of festivity towards evening. Altogether, everything was now practicable and delightful. So, sinking the military character in peaceful suits of clothes, a precaution prudently hinted by Mr. Burke, each gentleman, by his further advice, furnished himself with a respectable shillelagh, and the little expedition set out. CHAPTER II. After a pleasant saunter through an open, interesting country, Howard and Graham, and their friend, gained the spacious plain on which the pattern was being held. For some time they rambled about amongst the people, looking on at their diversions, or occasionally joining in their mirth. Assuredly there was here a sufficient variety to engage attention. Some were employed at the wonders of the show-box, or listening with open mouths, and looks of respectful amazement, to the oratory of its accomplished exhibitor. Our gentlemen did not, themselves, refuse an approving laugh to one turn of the fellow's eloquence. He had in his hand the knotted string, which guided the movements of a picture of a certain battle, celebrated in the annals of the Irish rebellion for a trinmph over some regiments of Irish militia, by a mob of peasants, assisted by a part of the handful of French landed at Killala. " Look to the right," quoth the showman, " and you shall see the WScklow militia scamperi...« less