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IIISTOET OF ENGLAND.

cnAp. of water known by the common name of Lough Erne. The—^—stream and both the lakes were overhung on every side by

natural forests. Enniskillen consisted of about eighty dwellingsclustering round an ancient castle. The inhabitants were, withscarcely an exception, Protestants, and boasted that their townhad been true to the Protestant cause through the terriblerebellion which broke out in 1641. Early in December theyreceived from Dublin an intimation that two companies ofPopish infantry were to be immediately quartered on them.The alarm of the little community was great, and the greaterbecause it was known that a preaching friar had been exertinghimself to inflame the Irish population of the neighbourhoodagainst the heretics. A daring resolution was taken. Comewhat might, the troops should not be admitted. Yet the meansof defence were slender. Not ten pounds of powder, not twentyfirelocks fit for use, could be collected within the walls. Mes-sengers were sent with pressing letters to summon the Pro-testant gentry of the vicinage to the rescue; and the summonswas gallantly obeyed. In a few hours two hundred foot and ahundred and fifty horse had assembled. Tyrconnel’s soldierswere already at hand. They brought with them a considerablesupply of arms to be distributed among the peasantry. Thepeasantry greeted the royal standard with delight, and accom-panied the march in great numbers. The townsmen and theirallies, instead of waiting to be attacked, came boldly forth toencounter the intruders. The officers of James had expected noresistance. They were confounded when they saw confrontingthem a column of foot, flanked by a large body of mountedgentlemen and yeomen. The crowd of camp followers ran awayin terror. The soldiers made a retreat so precipitate that itmight be called a flight, and scarcely halted till they were thirtymiles off at Cavan.*

* A True Relation of the Actions of the Innisliilling men, by Andrew

r*.