"Inform my troop," said the Captain, "that I intend visiting them before morning. Do you know where Donal Bran is stationed ? " Keeping watch," replied Power, "on the outskirts of our camp to the right."

66

Towards morning the young Captain proceeded through the camp, and on every side beheld the soldiers attending to their horses and preparing their arms, and the priests going about from regiment to regiment, hearing the confessions of the soldiers. He at length discovered Donal Bran and his band, at their watch-fires, near a ditch. Some were lying on the ground rolled in their cothamores; more were keeping the watch; while others were engaged in supplying their horses with bundles of grass. The Captain addressed them in the Irish language, and spoke confidently of success, in order to encourage them. They were all rejoiced to see him, and quickly crowded round him. Donal Bran, who acted as spokesman, said—

"We are all delighted to see you, Captain, particularly so this morning, as it is impossible to say how may of us many be alive at the rising of the sun to-morrow."

"I fear, Donal," said the Captain, "you do not feel comfortable here."

"We could not be better situated," returned the Rapparee. "We settled our religious duties with Fathers O'Reilly, Maguire, and De Graville, and then took our meal, which was better than we expected-thanks to you, sir--and now wait impatiently for the fighting to commence."

"Your breakfast," said the Captain, "was not as good as it should have been for soldiers on the morning before battle. Go to the nearest sutler, and obtain some brandy for your men. No excuse," he continued, as he observed Donal appeared reluctant to accept of the proffered money; "go at once and procure it, as it will serve to keep out the cold."

Donal then ascended the neighbouring heights, and in a short time returned with the brandy. The Rapparees drank success to their cause and long life to Captain Forster; after which Donal gave each some tobacco, and then, taking up his pipes, played, in a low key, "Emun a Cnuck."

The Captain, on his return, entered the tent of Sir Neill O'Neill. This young Chieftain, who was in the thirty-second year of his age, was already, notwithstanding the early hour, in full uniform.

"I have no time for rest my friend," said the brave Colonel. "Before day breaks I must march to defend the pass at Slane; but how can I do so effectually with my single regiment? However, I will endeavour to

defend it to the best of my ability, and fight as an O'Neill should. The King's orders are imperative, and I must obey."

So saying, Sir Neill buckled on his sword, took leave of the Captain, and proceeded to join his regiment, which was drawn up at some distance, and Captain Forster returned to his tent.

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE BATTLE OF THE BOYNE.

THE morning of that eventful day, Tuesday, the 1st of July, 1690, dawned with all the brilliancy of a summer sun, which, appearing above the distant heights, shed its golden rays o'er hill and dale and mead, diffusing light and warmth to the numerous inhabitants of the animal and vegetable kingdoms. But many a brave heart and impassioned breast, whose every pulse throbbed with enthusiastic love of religion and Fatherland on that morning, was destined never more to see that bright orb arise again, or view with wonted admiration the green fields and blooming trees, laden with sweet blossoms, and the painted petals of the wild flowers whose fragrance sweetly scented the passing zephyr, as it arose from the cold and placid bosom of the River Boyne, which, flowing calmly on in a serpentine course, percolated and meandered through the depths of a picturesque valley, until it reached the sea within a mile or so to the east of the city of Drogheda, and there blended with its waters. Ere yet the green verdure of the soil was stained with clotted blood, or the trembling dewdrops had vanished in the sunshine, the battle-field presented a scene so tranquilly beautiful that the ungrateful nephew of King James, the ruthless usurper and audacious invader, might well have paused, had he been possessed of a single spark of humanity or sentiment, ere he hurled death and destruction on the inmates of the many happy homesteads that now might be seen on the hillside among the sequestered glens and along the grassy banks of the laving river-the homesteads of a brave and generous peasantry, who alone can make nations properous and happy. But the Prince of Orange was not a man likely to reflect on the result of the ruin and devastation he was about to inflict upon a peaceable people to whom he was an utter stranger, and on whom he had no claims whatever. Nor was

his callous and unrefined nature touched in the smallest degree by the splendour of the landscape that now presented itself to his view, and which might have awakened in the soul of an Ethiopian more generous feelings than those which now disturbed his bosom. The craggy rock and hill, and vale and meadow, and corn-field teeming with the prospects of a rich harvest, were unnoticed by him. Stern and unmoved he gazed on all the beauties of nature that lay around him-their richness passed unheeded. Schooled from his boyhood to gratify his propensities, which were naturally sordid and morose, he could now only observe those portions of the land which seemed best suited for military purposes. But, enough! Ere the sun again shall have arisen the beauty of the landscape shall have passed away, the homes of the now happy people shall have vanished, and the dewdrops which still sparkle on the emerald green shall have given place to a sea of blood!

The whole Irish camp were soon astir. The dragoons, having fed their horses and equipped themselves, stood ready to mount. Before six o'clock, the trumpets sounded, the drums beat to arms, and the cavalry under Hamilton formed to meet the foe. The right wing of King James's army was composed of the French, or half-French troops, under the command of the Duke de Lauzun; the centre division, opposite Oldbridge, of Irish; and the left wing of Sir Neill O'Neill's dragoons, and the six cannon that remained-for before his army was drawn up in order of battle, the King had the other twenty-six pieces sent back to Dublin, where they would be required, he said, if the army were defeated at the Boyne.

At six o'clock, a strong body of the enemy emerged from the glen which led from the Williamite camp, numbering 10,000 strong. The right wing, consisting of the Danish horse, was led by Count Charles de Schonberg, Lord Portland, Brigadier Trilawney, and Lord Overkirke ; and the Scotch Foot Guards were under Lieutenant-General Douglas. This large force brought with it five pieces of cannon, to enable them to cross the bridge of Slane, where, and at the fords between it and Rossna-Ree, they intended making attempts to cross the Boyne. Having succeeded, after great difficulty, in crossing to the Irish side of the river, they attacked Sir Neill O'Neill's Dragoons, whose skirmishers defended themselves bravely, and obstinately maintained their ditches and breastworks with a heavy fire which they incessantly poured on the enemy; but the number of the Williamites at last forced the carabineers to retire. After a further struggle through the low ground with the dragoons of Sir Neill O'Neill, a long and desperate battle ensued, in which

that gallant young Chieftain fell mortally wounded, while fighting, sword in hand (79), and many other officers of distinction on both sides were slain.

Reinforcements were now ordered up from the Irish side by King James, who, though they suffered extremely by a sharp and continuous cannonade from the batteries of the Prince of Orange, did not flinch an inch under the fire, and for hours the Williamites were held in check. At ten o'clock, the enemy opened a heavy fire on the Irish centre stationed at Oldbridge, who had not a single cannon to return it. Now the Dutch Guards, Huguenot infantry, and other foreign troops, trained in the continental wars, proceeded to pass the river, the water of which did not reach their knees, with their drummers playing before them. The Irish in front, who were newly-raised soldiers, and therefore unaccustomed to regular warfare, nevertheless received them with a close fire; but the vast body of the enemy forced them back, and, amidst clouds of smoke, and the deafening roar of cannon, the Williamites formed in order above the banks on the opposite side of the river. They were now charged by a body of the Irish cavalry, who, by several destructive and successful onslaughts, held them at bay. The Williamites, seeing the danger they were in of their squares being broken, a powerful force of English, Scotch, and Huguenot cavalry rushed forward to their assistance. This strong reinforcement was met by some Irish horse, who exerted themselves energetically to prevent their advance; but at last they succeeded in passing on, having repulsed the enemy. The Irish dragoons, who had removed from Donore, now galloped down to the assistance of their countrymen, their horses causing the very ground to shake, and their upraised swords flashing in the rays of the brilliant sun as they impetuously charged the deadly enemies of their religion and country with the force of a thunderbolt. The Huguenot cavalry were unable to stand the terrific shock and were borne down, ridden over, and trampled on by the Irish, and Colonel Calimotte, their commander, was mortally wounded. The Brandenburgers, or Prussians, were seized with fear, and, considering that all was lost, turned and fled; and the third battalion of the Dutch Blue Guards, which was in the stream at the time endeavouring to pass, was forced back in confusion. All who were not killed on the spot fled precipitately across the river, pursued by the victorious Irish dragoons. A large body of Danish horse was then hastily ordered to charge the Irish cavalry, but were broken by the latter in the first attempt, and fell back in great disorder. A strong brigade of the Williamite foot now advanced to cross the river, but, seeing how the Irish cavalry maintained their superiority, raised a

cry of Horse, horse,' which, being mistaken in the confusion for Halt, halt,' increased the disorder in the ranks of the Prince of Orange's army. The centre division of his army being thus unable to overcome the centre of King James's, his only resource was to endeavour to overwhelm the Irish centre by hurling against it the whole force of his own left wing and centre. Though King James observed this movement, he did not, as an able general would, order down the right wing of his army, which was still idle, and composed of 6,000 French troops, who had not that day fired a single shot, while Prince William's left wing advanced en masse to relieve his centre division. The Duke de Schonberg called on a strong body of cavalry and infantry to cross the river; but the Irish cavalry, having returned from pursuing the Danes, desperately charged, cut them down, and took the Duke himself prisoner. The veteran Marshal's days were numbered, and he fell in the eighty-second year of his age, the victim of a random shot (80). The whole of William's left wing, which was composed of fresh troops, and his defeated centre division now rapidly advanced, and were joined by his cavalry, consisting of Dutch, Danes, Huguenots, and Enniskilleners, numbering 20,000 and upwards. After a time they forced the Irish infantry to fall back, while the Dutch and Danish cavalry were charged, broken, and driven off the field by the irresistible force of Irish arms wielded by the brave dragoons, who next attacked and defeated the Enniskillen horse. The Prince of Orange in person endeavoured to make them stand their ground, but they fled on the first attack, and the Irish cavalry next threatened the flanks of his army; but the French on the right had, in the interim, accompanied by King James, who commanded them in person, moved to assist O'Neill's Dragoons, and the left wing of the King's army also fell back, and the whole of the Irish forces now retreated to the hill of Donore. Here they made such a desperate stand, although unaided by the French, under the Duke de Lauzun, that the Williamites wavered and recoiled before them, and General Hamilton once more made a charge with the cavalry; but his impetuosity carried him too far, and he was taken prisoner (81). The French and Irish now retreated slowly and in regular order, their ranks unbroken and their six pieces of cannon still in their possession, with the exception of one which had become imbedded in the soft ground, and could not be extricated. Indeed, the Duke de Lauzun deserves great praise for the able manner in which he conducted the retreat on this occasion. After some time the Irish halted and waited for thè enemy, who also halted, but dared not venture to attack them. When they again moved on, the Williamites also advanced, and after repeatedly halting, the Irish at last passed unmolested over the bridge of the Nanny