Laudher, however, was as fine a model of physical strength, just
proportion, and manly beauty as ever was created; his arms, in
particular, were of terrific strength, a physical advantage so peculiar
to his family as to occasion the epithet by which it was known. He had
scarcely uttered the reply we have I written, when Meehaul, with his
whole! strength, aimed a blow at his stomach, which the other so far
turned aside, as to bring it I higher up on his chest. He staggered
back, after receiving it, about seven or eight yards, but did not fall.
His eye literally blazed, and for a moment he seemed disposed to act!
under the strong impulse of self-defence. The solemnity of his promise
to Ellen, however, recurred to him in time to restrain his uplifted
arm. By a strong and sudden effort he endeavored to compose himself, and
succeeded. He approached Meehaul, and with as much calmness as he could
assume, said--

"Meehaul, I stand before you an' you may strike, but I won't return your
blows: I have reasons for it, but I tell you the truth."

"You won't fight?" said Meehaul, with mingled rage and scorn.

"No," replied the other, "I won't fight you."

A murmur of "shame" and "coward" was heard from those who had been drawn
together by their quarrel.

"_Dher ma chorp_," they exclaimed with astonishment, "but Lamh Laudher's
afeard of him!--the _garran bane's_ in him, now that he finds he has met
his match."

"Why, hard fortune to you, Lamh Laudher, will you take a blow from a