THE SELKIRK SETTLERS 111

rumours, prepared for a battle royal. He whittled sticks for the fray. Shortly after the polling began, the fight started. The Irish, chiefly from County Monaghan, were armed with sticks, too. In the first skirmish a Scotsman, Malcolm McCrae, was fatally wounded and others severely beaten. A short recess was declared. After a brief time, polling was resumed. The Scotsmen had retired and the hustings were in possession of the Irish. The first round had ended in favour of the Irish.

The second inning commenced. Two hundred Scotsmen returned, armed with sticks. The Irish were determined to keep them off. The Scots were equally determined to have their rights, and were angered at the treatment of the dying McCrae. The efforts of the sheriff and constables were in vain. The battle was resumed. The Scots arranged them- selves on a line about two hundred yards from the hustings. The approach to the hustings was covered by the Irish, who brandished their sticks in great excitement. The sheriff tried to calm them—and escaped from the battlefield just in time.

The Riot Act was read. The poll was closed. Still the air resounded with the clash of sticks. The second inning closed with the Highlanders masters of the field. But at what cost! Many on each side were wounded, though each side tried to keep secret the number of their casualties. Some were injured for life, and several died later from injuries in the conflict. Apparently they took their politics seriously then. The sheriff reported:

“I do not think it would be possible in the present excited state of different parties in the third district to hold a contested election under the present law,