Page:Studies in Irish History, 1649-1775 (1903).djvu/244

Derry and Limerick that William's convoy had lain at Cashel on Sunday, and on Monday marched beyond Cullen to Ballyneety, or Whitestown, fourteen miles from Limerick. The unsuspecting escort turned most of their tired horses out to grass, made their dispositions carelessly, and, posting a slender guard, fell to sleep, little dreaming of danger from a beaten enemy so near their own camp. Fortune had given Sarsfield an additional chance of success. One of his horsemen, it is said, found out the English password from the wife of a Williamite soldier who had lost her way. Curiously enough, it was the name of the Irish leader. When the moon rose, like the flying clouds which favoured them, Sarsfield's Horse moved down cautiously upon the doomed convoy.

To an outpost's challenge they gave the reply and, quickening their stride, bore down upon the camp. Again a sentinel's call rang out, and this time the Irish reply was "Sarsfield is the word and"—as the sentry went down beneath a sabre-stroke—"Sarsfield is the man!" Then, with a mighty shout, the six hundred swept down upon the Williamites. A bugle shrieked the alarm "To horse!" It was too late. The dragoons were upon them, riding them down, sabring and pistolling them as they started from 232