About two o'clock
Fergus accordingly read as follows : -- EXTRAORDINARY COURAGE AND INTREPIDITY -- SEVERAL HUNDRED WHITEBOYS MOST `` On the night of the 24th ultimo , the house of this most active and resolute magistrate was attacked by a numerous band of ruffianly Whiteboys , amounting to several hundreds -- who , in defiance of his well-known resolution , and forgetting the state of admirable preparation and defence in which he always maintains his dwelling-house , surrounded it with the intention , evidently , of visiting upon him the consequences of his extraordinary efforts at preserving the peace of the country , and bringing offenders to justice . The exact particulars of this fearful conflict have not reached us , but we may , without offence , we trust , to the modesty of Mr. O'Driscol , venture to give a general outline of the circumstances , as far as we have heard them . About two o'clock , on the morning alluded to , and while the whole family were asleep , an attempt was made to break open the hall-door . This , however , having been heavily chained , barred , and bolted , and the keys removed to Mr. O'Driscol 's sleeping-room , resisted all attempts of the Whiteboys to enter -- a circumstance which filled them with fury and indignation . In a moment the family were alarmed , and up . On that night it so happened that Mr. Alick Purcel , a friend and neighbor of Mr. O'Driscol 's , happened to be staying with them , and almost immediately Mr. O'Driscol , placing the two young men in something like a steady military position , led them on personally , in the most intrepid manner , to a position behind the shutters .