It was a fierce encounter according to Hughie, the then champion being a Ballymena man by the name of Jack Rooney. Jack and a bunch of vagabonds sat on a stone pile near Ballyclare when Hughie hove in sight. The beggar-man was at once challenged to divest himself of half his clothes or enter the contest. He entered, with the result that Ballymena lost the championship! The concluding round as Hughie recited it was as follows:
"I dhruv a nail throo th' moon wanst," said Jack.
"Ye did, did ye," said Hughie, "but did ye iver hear ov the maan that climbed up over th' clouds wid a hammer in his han' an' clinched it on th' other side?"
"No," said the champion.
"I'm him!" said Hughie.
"I'm bate!" said Jack Rooney, "an' begobs if I wor St. Peether I'd kape ye outside th' gate till ye tuk it out agin!"
Anna returned with a blanket rolled up under her arm. She gave Hughie his choice between sleeping in Jamie's corner among the lasts or occupying the pigsty. He chose the pigsty, but before he retired I begged Anna to ask him about the Banshee.
"Did ye ever really see a Banshee, Hughie?"
"Is there aanythin' a champ'yun liar haasn't seen?" Jamie interrupted.
"Aye," Hughie said, "'deed there is, he niver seen a maan who'd believe 'im even whin he was tellin' th' thruth!"