Page:Studies in Irish History, 1649-1775 (1903).djvu/249

Derry and Limerick women, says the Williamite historian, hurling stones and broken bottles, "boldly stood in the breach and were nearer our men than their own."

While the fight was hottest, the Brandenburghers swarmed up on the Black Battery, and a yellow glare shot through the dust clouds, and a louder crash rang above the general uproar, as a quantity of powder was fired beneath them with deadly effect.

Lord Talbot's Dragoons sallied out through St. John's Gate and took the stormers in flank, and then the Irish swept down irresistibly and beat them to their very trenches. It was after seven o'clock in the evening, and a great cloud of battle-smoke trailed away from the city to the top of Keeper Mountain. The assault had cost William some 2,000 men killed and wounded. The loss of the defenders was, of course. much less severe. Yet it had been heavy; and, among the dead and dying on the streets and in the breach, lay not a few of the humble heroines of the city. But, like their sisters of Derry, they had baffled a King. For William, on the 30th of August, after blowing up some of his stores and firing his camp, marched his army into winter quarters, and withdrew himself to England.

After the repulse of William, the hopes of the Irish ran high. 237