Page:Life of Sir William Petty 1623 – 1687.djvu/318

 disguise as to the sympathies of the representatives of the law were soon at an end, for on February 25, Colonel Phelim Macarthy himself attempted to surprise the garrison at night. Failing in this he next day summoned the place, in the name of Sir Valentine Brown, to surrender, with a promise of good conditions, but threatening them with fire and sword if they held out. They were at the same time informed that all the Protestants in Cork had been disarmed, that Castle Martyr had surrendered, and that Bandon was about to do so. Finding resistance hopeless, the little garrison surrendered on honourable terms, security for life and property being promised. But hardly had the surrender taken place, before the native Irish rushed in, and, having plundered the house, turned out the occupants in a miserable and starving condition. It is probable that all would have perished, but for the fortunate arrival at this moment of two small vessels, which Mr. James Waller, foreseeing trouble, had despatched into Kenmare Bay. On board these vessels all the fugitives crowded, with the exception of eight, whom the officers of Captain Macarthy's force compelled to stay in order to work in the iron-mines. But the troubles of the fugitives were not even then over; for the native Irish, encouraged by their success in plundering some French Protestant refugees who had been driven by stress of weather into the bay in 1685, succeeded in carrying off the sails of the vessels. A delay of eight days took place in consequence, and an order then arrived from Captain Hussey, representing Sir Valentine Brown, prohibiting a journey to England. Mr. Orpen thereupon passed a bond for 5,000l., to be forfeited if they did not go to Cork, considering this a cheap price to pay for life and liberty. At length, with only five barrels of beef, forty gallons of oatmeal, and some unbaked dough, the little party was allowed to embark. The masters of the barques knew nothing of navigation, but the gentlemen on board were able to shape the course. They made for Bristol, but the winds were contrary, and they did not arrive till March 25, 1688, and in so miserable a condition that the mayor ordered collections for their relief. Many of the party