About eleven o'clock
God be merciful to him ! '' As the morning advanced , O'Rorke 's faction , as a proof that they were determined to consider the death of their leader as a murder , dressed themselves in red ribbons , a custom occasionally observed in Ireland even now , at the funerals of those who have been murdered . Their appearance passing to and fro among the crowd made the scene with all its associations absolutely terrible . About eleven o'clock they went in a body to widow Rorke 's , for the purpose of once more attempting to dissuade him against the fight . Here most unexpected intelligence awaited them -- _ Lamh Laudher Oge _ had disappeared . The aunt stated that he had left the house with a strange man , early that morning , and that he had not returned . Ere many minutes the rumor was in every part of the town , and strong disappointment was felt , and expressed against him in several round oaths , by the multitude in general .