which they might have taken from, or received of, any Protestant during the war.

All this day, Wednesday, 15th of July, numerous bodies of the Irish soldiery passed by Gortinsiguara, Crushnahawn, and Clooneene. After the battle they assembled on the mountains over Loughrea and its vicinity, and were now wending their way to Limerick, to make another stand, with the main body of their army, against the Dutchman. They were supplied with food by the gentry and people, on the way, and the Chief of Clooneene took care to have the large boilers well supplied with meat, and also plenty of bread baked for their use. Indeed, during these three days, between uneasiness of mind and grief for the loss of many of their relatives and friends, most of the people throughout the province of Connaught were in deep affliction, and loud lamentations were heard in all parts of the country.

The industrious Dermot Oge was much perplexed in endeavouring to protect the Gortinsiguara property, but took good care to secure the family papers, plate, and other valuables, as he did of old, in places of safety. Lady Helena O'Shaughnessy still resided at Fidane Castle, and in the afternoon of this day, Dermot Oge went to Clooneene, to consult the Chief on matters of business. After dinner, Shane O'Halloran entered the parlour, and presented his Chief with a letter which he had just received from a courier who arrived from Galway. The Chieftain broke the large seal of red wax, opened the packet, and having looked over it, said "Dermot Oge, this is from my friend, the Mayor of Galway, so you may read it." He then handed the missive to Dermot Oge,

who read as follows

"For

"CAPTAIN FRANCIS FORSTER, of Clooneene,

"These.

"DEAR CAPTAIN FORSTER,

"Ye Lieutenant-General, the Baron de Ginckell, Commander-in-chief of the English army, is nowe expected at the Citie of Athnery, with his soulders, and will be comying on us very soon, I expect. Any that would give up to him here, were soon prevented by Monsieur the Lieutenant-General d'Usson, who confined ym. We have only abt 2,500 men, and they want arms, which is ye first and chiefest thing. If you can spare some of yer retainers and tenants, send ym to us at once, with a good leader-man. The loosing

of

ye

battle of Aughrim was, I think, the last greate blow to K. James, his cause-ye sounde of the cannon was heard at our gates.

"Yr Faithfull Friende,

"ARTHUR FFRENCH,

"Mayor.

"Done at Galvey, this ye 15th day of July, 1691.”

It was then agreed that Houloughan the steward at Crushnahawn, should have the men assembled at Clooneene, at six o'clock on the following morning.

"Captain," said Dermot Oge, "who will you entrust with their command ?"

"My grandson John," replied the Chief, "is at present unwell, and Kelly of Lougheutra, Donal Bran, and Conor O'Shaughnessy intend starting for Limerick to-morrow, or after, so I am really at a loss to know who to appoint. As you are aware, Dermot, it requires a person well versed in military tactics, as there is every probability of their meeting with, and being attacked by, parties of the Williamite army."

"Captain," said Cuthbert Fenwick, "if you have no objection, it will give me great pleasure to take the command. I have been long enough inactive, in consequence of the mistake made about the commission I was promised, while in Dublin, by the Duke of Tyrconnell; but by your placing me in charge of your men, I will be permitted by Lord Dillon to take part in the resistance the townspeople are about making against Baron de Ginckell."

"There is no doubt," said Dermot Oge, "if Brigadier Balldearg O'Donnell, with his forces, marches from Iar-Connaught to assist the citizens in defending the town, the efforts of De Ginckell will prove fruitless. But, to tell the truth, I have no great faith in him."

"Well," said the Chief, as you feel inclined, you can have the command of my tenantry, Cuthbert, and I have no doubt, but you will distinguish yourself in the siege, and prove yourself worthy of the name you bear, while in command of the Clooneene Foresters."

"I will do my utmost," replied Fenwick, "and trust Balldearg O'Donnell will come to assist the people of Galway. It would be a matter of great importance, as at present their garrison consists of only a few troops of horse and seven regiments of foot. If he had been at Aughrim, with his 1,000 men, it is my firm conviction that our army would have been victorious; and it would not at all surprise me to hear, after the way in which he was snubbed by Tyrconnell, who has usurped the title of his House, that Balldearg joined the English army.'

"After his treachery in absenting himself from the battle of Aughrim," said the Chief, "I am convinced he will prove false to our cause; but, on the other hand, if he comes to assist the people of Galway, it will undoubtedly discourage the Baron de Ginckell; but after the disgraceful manner in which O'Donnell was treated, both by Tyrconnell and Colonel Gordon O'Neill, it is difficult to say what he will do. However, though the garrison is small, I am sure the town will make a gallant resistance, for the citizens of Galway are well known to be courageous in time of danger."

After some further conversation, Dermot Oge returned to Lissine, and shortly after the whole household retired to rest.

CHAPTER XXXV.

THE CLOONEENE FORESTERS-GALWAY IN 1691.

Ar break of day next morning, a considerable number of men were collected before the hall-door of Clooneene. Long before six o'clock Cuthbert Fenwick had breakfasted, and, walking from the parlour into the hall, took from off the wall a green flag, on which was embroidered the armorial bearings of the Clan Forster. At this moment the Chief descended the principal stairs, and, observing Fenwick, said—

"Cuthbert, you are not the first of your family who fought under that flag."

"I am aware of that, Captain," replied Fenwick, "and I recollect, when very young, while on a visit with my uncle at Wallington, having read, with great delight, of how my clan fought for Sir John Forster, Lord of Blanchland, in the Raid of the Reidswire" (120).

Shane O'Halloran, who had been actively engaged distributing guns, spears, and pistols amongst the Clooneene Foresters, now entered the hall, and told Cuthbert that all was prepared for his journey. Fenwick then took leave of the Chief, mounted his horse, and rode off at the head of his party in high spirits. No event of any import occurred until they arrived within four miles of Galway. Here the road slightly . curved, and the quick eye of Cuthbert observed, at some distance from Oranmore Castle, a party of over sixty men, partially concealed behind a large heap of stones, about one hundred yards in advance. He im

mediately gave the order to halt, but as his men had loaded before leaving Clooneene, his only delay was to form them into line. The party of Williamites, for such they were, knowing by this movement that they were observed, rushed forward, shouting at the same time"Long live King William the Third." Cuthbert Fenwick's party answered with-"Ireland for ever," and received the enemy with a heavy fire. The Williamites being worsted, and imagining from the dress worn by the Clooneene Foresters, whose only distinguishing marks were green boughs in their hats, that they were surrounded by the Rapparees, turned and fled; and Cuthbert, fearing they were only the skirmishers of a larger force, merely waited until his men had collected the arms the enemy left behind them, before continuing his march, which he then did with all speed.

On approaching the ancient city of Galway, Cuthbert was astonished to observe the numerous changes which had taken place in its suburbs since he was there last, by the removal of all the houses, walls, bushes, and everything else calculated to afford shelter to an enemy. These preparations for the coming siege, together with the removal of the strong forts in the east liberties, were carried out by the Earl of Clanricarde, who was empowered to do so by the Common Council of the town. From the desolate aspect of the suburbs, the fortifications looked larger than they actually were. On his left stood Shoemaker's Tower, from the top of which rose a narrow, square turret; next, on the same side, was Penrice's Tower, which was square, and smaller than the former, both in height and circumference; then the tower surmounting the great gate, in which was placed the town clock, and from a staff, which was in the form of a cross over it, floated a large flag, on which was embroidered the arms of Galway-azure a chevron; or, between three castles, triple-towered, and masoned argent, under which were the letters S. P. Q. R. To the right stood Middle Tower, which was similar to Penrice's in form and size; and beyond it was visible Tor an Leoin, which was the largest and strongest of the fourteen towers on the walls of Galway. Fenwick was challenged at the gate, but having produced the Mayor's letter to the Chief of Clooneene, he was admitted by the officer in command of the guard without further delay. After seeing the Clooneene Foresters provided for, he proceeded to the Mayoralty House, in Great Gate-street.

This commodious and handsome mansion was erected by Sir Valentine Blake, of Menlough Castle, while Mayor of Galway, in 1630, and was generally known as Sir Valentine's Castle. Over the Gothic arch which led to the spacious courtyard the armorial ensigns of the

Blake and Caddell families were sculptured in relief, surrounded by a wreath of shamrocks, beneath which was a cornucopia, supported by an angel.

Here he met Captain Arthur Ffrench, of Tyrone, the then Mayor of Galway; Lord Dillon, the Military Governor of the town; the Earl of Clanricarde, Lord Lieutenant and Custos Rotulorum of the county of Galway; Lord Enniskillen, Lieutenant-General d'Usson, late Governor of Athlone, Colonel Burke, of Tyaquin; Colonel Oliver O'Gara, who was wounded at the last siege of Athlone; Lieutenants-Colonel Burke, Browne, Bodkin, and O'Reilly; Major Dillon, Captains Valentine Blake, Jasper Ffrench, George Morris, Marcus Lynch, and Stephen Kirwan; together with the Sheriffs, Oliver Ffrench, and William Clear, who had assembled to discuss the best measures to adopt for defending the town against Baron de Ginckell. They were all delighted to see Cuthbert Fenwick, who gave Colonel Burke of Tyaquin and the Mayor letters from the Chief of Clooneene. After inquiring for their friends in the country, Colonel Burke informed Cuthbert that Lord Galway, The O'Kelly of Mullaghmore, and the Stacpooles, were not only missing, but that nothing was heard of them since the battle of Aughrim, and that he feared they were slain in that fearful engagement.

After a while the consultation, which was interrupted by the entrance of Cuthbert, was resumed.

"Monsieur d'Usson," said the Governor, "what is your opinion of the strength of our fortifications? Do you think they will be able to bear a long siege ?"

"They are strong, indeed, Monsieur le Gouvernour," replied D'Usson, "but I regret exceedingly that we have not more men and arms at our command. However, gentlemen, I have every reason to believe that my great Sovereign, King Louis, will send us valuable assistance in a very short time, to carry on the war against the heretics of all nations who maintain the unjust cause of the ambitious Prince of Orange."

"The brave citizens," said Colonel Burke of Tyaquin, "will be able to hold out successfully against De Ginckell and his large army for a week at least, but unless the promised assistance which we have been so long expecting from France arrives within that time, I fear they will have to surrender, as I think our provisions will not last much longer."

"We have enough for a week, at all events," said the Mayor, "and I think for a longer period, but we are certain not to run short until Balldearg O'Donnell, who is now, I believe, in Iar-Connaught, arrives here, which will be at the farthest, in three days, if I have been correctly informed."