Butler, who is one of the King's greatest favourites, and in higher spirits than ever, has been appointed Solicitor-General for Ireland. It is generally believed he will be soon raised to a peerage and the bench. I need hardly say that he desired to be affectionately remembered to you all."

"Sir Toby, who is very jovial," said Florence Mac Namara, "was always a kind friend, and I am sure now never loses an opportunity of drinking the King's health, particularly as he is such a favourite with his Majesty."

Costellan, who now entered the apartment, was directed to dispatch messengers to the tenantry to attend next morning at Clooneene, as any of them willing to volunteer would be enrolled. The Chief of Cineal Aodh gave similar directions to Dermot Oge, and requested the young Captain to visit Gortinsiguara, and inspect his tenantry. Captain Forster accepted the invitation, and then said he should retire for a short time to look after his men.

The dragoons were well taken care of in the retainers' hall by Shane O'Halloran, and O'Donoghue played several airs for them during the evening.

Having inspected the men, the Captain, accompanied by Ralph Malbrough, proceeded to the stables to see the horses. On his return, Florence Mac Namara said

"My dear Francis, I hope you will soon apply for leave of absence, and pay me a visit. I am sure a week, at least, would not be refused you by Tyrconnell, and even if any objection was made, a word from Sir Toby would make it all right. But where is Fenwick? I have not seen him since my arrival. Can it be possible he has returned to Northumberland without bidding his friends farewell ?"

"Cuthbert," said the Chieftain, "is on a visit with Kelly, at Loughcutra, and I believe they are gone on a fishing excursion, and my son James is at Galway. Being the High Sheriff, it is necessary to have all his arrangements made for the county election, which I wish was over, as it is expected to be a bloody one. I fear, from the number of duels it is said are to be fought, we will lose some of our friends, and I hear that many challenges have been already given and accepted."

After some further conversation on the subject, the Chief of Cineal Aodh asked who were the Generals likely to have command in the approaching campaign.

"Dorrington and Sheldon are considered very good officers," said Captain Forster," and the Duke of Berwick and Sarsfield are extremely popular with the army. The Marshal Count Conrad de Rosen and the

Marquis de Pusignan are not at all liked by either the officers or the men. For my own part, I would prefer that Irishmen were employed, as they are better acquainted with the country and the troops than the foreigners, who view our soldiers as if they were savages. However, the King, in compliment to Louis XIV., patronises the French, which is very bad policy. Count d'Avaux was made a member of the Privy Council—a man who is a perfect stranger to our wants or wishes. He knows nothing about Ireland, and cares less. It would have been of far more service, and better for us, had Louis given supplies of arms and money to assist in carrying on the war, instead of the few insolent officers he has sent for that purpose, who do nothing but find fault with everything in this country. I see it is utterly impossible for us to do anything without arms and clothing, and it will be too bad if we have to dismiss all the stout men who have already joined our cause, However, I will try on to-morrow how many men will be ready to enrol themselves from this neighbourhood. Tyrconnell appears very anxious for more recruits; but it is plain we cannot arm so many men. I have only to take the names of those who are anxious to join, and then let him act as he thinks proper."

"When the weather improves," said the Chief of Cineal Aodh, "I will join my regiment; it may help to dispel my grief, and prevent me from thinking so much about the difficulties of our position."

The Chief of Clooneene, filling his goblet, said

"Our duty now compels us to make great sacrifices, and it is with difficulty we can bear them; but sufficient for the day is the evil. thereof,' and we cannot do more than give all the aid in our power; so, O'Donoghue, let your harp be no longer silent."

'Play "The King shall have his own again,'" said Florence Mac Namara.

The minstrel complied, and amused the company by performing some of his choicest airs until the hour for retiring had arrived.

Early next day the tenantry, young and old, issued from the numerous hamlets on the estate, and assembled at Clooneene-some to join the army, and others to see their relatives among the dragoons. The troop was drawn up before the hall-door in martial array, and young Captain Forster, having appeared, was received with loud acclamations of joy; after which he proceeded to take down the names of those who wished to be enrolled. When he had done so, Donal Bran having presented himself for admission, the Captain said

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'Why, Donal, I thought you got married since I left home."

"Yes, sir," replied Donal; "but I wish to join our army."

"I certainly," said the Captain, "do not like to reject such an active young man; but I consider it would be a hardship to take you away from your young wife; and we cannot, as you are well aware, arm half the men who have already joined us."

In vain Donal renewed his request; the Captain was inexorable.

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Well, sir," said Donal, "I have a chance yet, and if you require men, I hope you will not forget to call on me."

"Indeed I shall not," replied the Captain; "for there is not a dragoon in my troop whom I believe to be braver than you are."

"Take down my name, sir, at all events," said Donal, "as one ready to fight when required."

The Captain consented, and, turning to Power, said

"Nicholas, your good conduct entitles you to be made a corporal, and on our arrival at head-quarters you shall be promoted to the rank of sergeant."

The arms which the Chief had received from the Chevalier de Tourville were now distributed amongst his grandson's recruits; after which the young Captain proceeded to Rathorpe, to visit his mother. Next day, he attended at Gortinsiguara, and found all the people in that locality, as he had expected, most enthusiastic in the King's cause. He spent the night at Rathorpe, and next day returned to Clooneene, to join his troop, and proceed to Limerick. His grandfather was much grieved at his departure, and, giving him a parting advice, said—

"My dear Francis, the profession in life you have chosen requires great command of temper. You know the first duty of a soldier is obedience, and you must obey orders, though you may differ in opinion with the officer in command as to their propriety. The soldiers are now badly paid, and you and the other officers must take care to give the poor fellows all the assistance in your power. Whenever you require funds, have no hesitation in calling on me, and I will be happy to supply you. Now, Francis, farewell, and remember my advice."

By this time the troop was drawn up before the door, and the young Captain, amidst loud cheers, sprang into the saddle, and rode off at the head of his dragoons.

In a few days after his departure, the High Sheriff returned from Galway, and informed his father that Sir Walter Blake, of Menlough Castle, and Sir Ulick Burke, of Glynsk, were elected as representatives to serve in Parliament for the county, and that the townsmen were engaged in putting the city into a state of defence, as they were determined to maintain the King's authority to the last, and that though several duels were fought by the county gentlemen, in consequence of the election, only a few had proved fatal.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE RAPPAREES.

On the 7th of May, 1689, the Irish Parliament, which met in Dublin, was opened with considerable pomp and splendour, by King James II., surnamed the Just, in person, and to the great joy of the people repealed the odious Act of Settlement (58). The unfortunate Irish Royalists, who had adhered to King Charles I., during the Civil War, were unjustly deprived of their properties, which were confiscated during the usurpation of Cromwell, and granted to the Parliamentarian or Cromwellian regicides; and those grants were, strange as it may appear, confirmed by the Acts of Settlement and Explanation passed in the reign of the ungrateful Charles II., to the great indignation of the Catholics of Ireland, who were justly incensed at their countrymen being deprived of their rights. The bill for the repeal of this unpopular measure was drawn up by Sir Richard Nagle, of Aghnakishy, and Carrignaconny Castle, in the county of Cork, who was one of the Members of Parliament for that county, and Attorney-General for Ireland; and it is worthy of remark that Sir Stephen Rice, Lord Chief Baron of the Irish Court of Exchequer, was often heard to exclaim previous to his elevation to the Bench, that he could "drive a coach and six horses through the vile Act of Settlement." The very popular measure of its repeal having now been passed by the Irish House of Commons, the bill was brought up to the Irish House of Lords, on the 2nd of June, by Lieutenant-General the Honourable Justin MacCarthy, Master-General of Artillery in Ireland, the other representative for the county of Cork, and on the next day he was created, by King James, Baron of Castle-Inchy, and Viscount Mountcashel, in that county, and on the 4th was introduced, and took his seat amongst the Peers of Ireland.

The attention of the King was again drawn to military matters, and he directed the equipment of such a force as might, in conjunction with that already stationed in the North, be sufficient to reduce the stubborn and rebellious town of Enniskillen, and he entrusted its command to the newly-created Lord Mountcashel.

The report of the siege of Londonderry, and the advance of Lord Mountcashel, who was, unquestionably, an able general, against the Enniskillen men, having reached Gortinsiguara and its neighbourhood,

created the wildest excitement; and the youths whom Captain Forster had enrolled for active service, seeing that no arms fit to enable them to join the regular army could be supplied, the boldest determined to follow Lord Mountcashel's forces, amongst whom were the famous Yellow Dragoons. Donal Bran was the most zealous in urging on this patriotic and daring enterprise, and, being unanimously chosen leader, proceeded to organise a band of Rapparees (59). On the morning after his election, accompanied by his band, he repaired to Rathorpe, and requested to see the High Sheriff, who ordered him to be immediately admitted to his presence.

From the walls of the parlour were suspended several family paintings, most conspicuous amongst which were that of Sir Reginald Forster, who died in 1156, the eldest son of Sir Hugo Forster, of Northumberland, who marched against and slew Magnus, King of Norway, when he invaded England in 1101; that of Sir Ranulph Forster, who, after having taken part in the principal continental wars of his time, died in 1256; that of Sir Alfred Forster, surnamed the "Generous," who was general in the army of Henry III., received the honour of Knighthood on the field, immediately after the great battle of Evesham, fought on the 4th of August, 1265, and died in 1284; the handsome portrait of Lady Florina Forster, daughter of Lord Wharton, of Wharton Castle, Durham, and wife of Sir Thomas Forster, Lord of Etherston; and that of the celebrated Lady Margaret Fenwick (60), wife of Sir William Fenwick, Baronet, of Wallington, Member of Parliament for Northumberland, and daughter of Sir William Selby, of Newcastle. The portrait of this remarkable lady was brought from Northumberland by Cuthbert Fenwick, who was her maternal grandson, and it was justly admired as a work of art.

On entering the apartment, the Rapparee exclaimed, excitedly, “Sir, flesh and blood cannot stand how our men are bravely fighting and shedding their hearts' blood in defence of our country in the North, without wishing to assist them; so I have come to tell you that myself and my men-for I have formed a band of Rapparees-intend immediately marching to their assistance. I am, however, well aware that, at the head of an armed party, I cannot do so without a pass from you, to show that we are loyal subjects of the King."

"You all deserve many thanks from King James for your patriotic zeal in his cause, and you shall therefore have a pass, under my hand and seal, giving you full authority to wage war on behalf of your King. But where can you procure horses and arms for your band?"

"As for arms," replied Donal, "we have a large number of fowling