tinual services against the enemy, as occasion re quired.

In the autumn, Ralegh, with his band of four score foot and eight horse, set out on his return to Cork, and received information on the road, that Barry was at Clove, with a considerable force. Taking that direction, he found him and his company, charged him with great bravery, and put him to flight. Then, pursuing his journey, he overtook a company of foot, which he charged with six of his. horse, cut off the wood to which they were flying; and, leaving them without a hope of relief, compelled them to turn in despair and repel his attack, which they did with the most desperate bravery. Five of the horses were killed, among which was Ralegh's; and he had certainly lost his own life in this skirmish, but for the gallant assistance he received from his trusty servant Nicholas Wright, a Yorkshire-man, and James Fitz-Richard and Patrick Fagaw, Irishmen. Several of the enemy were slain, and two of them taken prisoners to Cork."

6

there:

At his lying in Cork,' adds Hooker, were sundry pieces of service done by him, all which do very well deserve to be for ever registered; and among all others this one point of his service deserveth both commendation and perpetual remembrance.' He then relates to us his seizure of Lord Roch, whose loyalty was become doubtful, and Ralegh was appointed to bring him and his Lady to Holinshed, Ireland, p. 173.

Cork. Barry and the seneschall having knowledge of this, assembled a force seven or eight hundred strong to waylay him. In the meantime Ralegh, having reflected on the danger of the enterprise, on a sudden ordered his men, about ninety horse and foot, to be ready on pain of death between ten and eleven o'clock that night; at which hour he set off for Roch's seat, Bally in Harsh, about twenty miles distant from Cork, and reached the castle gate early the next morning.

The towns-people were alarmed, and collected a party 500 strong; upon which Ralegh disposed his forces in the town, and selecting six of his company, among whom were Arthur Barlow and Nicholas Wright, he proceeded quietly to the castle, and ordered another small party to follow. On the appearance of Roch's attendants he desired to speak with his Lordship, and complied with apparent readiness with their request, that he should enter with only two or three of his followers. With some difficulty, however, they all passed the gate, and Ralegh instructed them to admit their followers by degrees, while he held Roch in conversation. Thus the whole party at last gained an entrance into the court-yard, each with a musket loaden with two balls. Roch grew uneasy, but dissembled it, and invited Ralegh and his company to partake of his table. After dinner the latter ingenuously declared the object of his visit, and produced his commission. Whereupon Roch, after some excuses, made a vir

tue of necessity, professing he could clear himself of whatever was alledged against him. Ralegh also obtained his lordship's consent, that the town's people, who had so faithfully risen in his defence at home, should escort and defend him on his journey, which he had determined should be made that night. It proved dark and tempestuous, and the way they went was so full of hills, dales, rocks, and precipices, that the soldiers suffered greatly. Yet the am, buscades of the enemy were evaded, and early the next morning Ralegh presented his prisoners to the general, with no little admiration,' says Hooker, ⚫ that he had escaped so dangerous a journey, being verily supposed of all men that he could never have escaped."

A letter of his, which has not yet been printed, but of which a copy is preserved in the Harleian collection, informs us, however, that this service was dissatisfactory to Ralegh. It is addressed to the celebrated earl of Leicester, probably through the hands of Sir Warham Saintleger, and proves, what Ralegh's former biographers appear to have been unacquainted with, that he had early in life some interest with that powerful favourite of Queen Elizabeth.

His professions proved true, for he was honourably acquitted, proved a faithful subject ever afterward, and three of his sons lost their lives in Queen Elizabeth's service. Holinshed, a Holinshed, Ireland, p. 174.

> N°. 6993, iii.

CAPTAIN RALEGH TO THE EARL OF LEICESTER.

in

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may

I MAY not forget continually to put your honour in mind of my affection unto your lordship, having to the world both professed and protested the same. Your honour having no use of such your followers, hath utterly forgotten me. Notwithstanding, if your lordship shall please to think me yours as I am, I will be found as ready, and dare do much your service, as any man you may command; and do neither so much despair of myself, but that be some way able to perform as much. I have spent some time here under the deputy in such poor place and charge, as were it not for that I knew him to be as if yours, I would disdain it as much as to keep sheep. I will not trouble your honour with the business of this lost land; for that Sir Warram Sentleger can best of any man deliver unto your lordship, the good, the bad, the mischiefs, the means to amend, and all in all, of this common-wealth or rather common-woe. He hopeth to find your honour his assured good lord, and your honour may most assuredly command him. He is lovingly inclined toward your honour; and your lordship shall win by your favour toward him, a wise, faithful, and valiant gentleman, whose word and deeds your honour shall ever find to be one. Thus, having no other matter, but only to desire the countinuance of

your honour's favour, I humbly take my leave. From the camp of Lismore in Ireland, August the 25th

Your honour's faithful and obedient,.

W. RALEGH.

"I am bold, being bound by very conscience, to commend unto your honour's consideration the pitiful estate of John Fitz-Edmonds of Cloyne, a gentleman, and the only man untouched and proved true to the queen both in this and the last rebellion, Sir Warram can deliver his service, what he is, and what he deserveth.

To the right hon. and my very good lord the earl of Leicester, of her Majesty's most honourable privy council.'

In August 1581, Lord Grey appointed Captain John Zouch to the government of Munster, and Ralegh made several excursions in company with him, to compose the country, their head-quarters being still at Cork. When Zouch and Captain Dowdal made the secret expedition, in which Sir John of Desmond lost his life, the garrison at Cork was left in Ralegh's charge. Barry, however, soon afterward submitted; the earl of Desmond, deprived of all remaining hope, was quiet, and Munster left in peace; the southern troops were suddenly re