d apparently killed him, got hold of a grating and was picked up
the next morning. Being carried into Cork harbour, he gave information
of what had occurred, and the authorities in all places along the coast
were informed that they might seize the pirates should they appear.
Their intention was to proceed up the British Channel, to plunder any
vessel they could fall in with, and afterwards, when they had completed
their cargo, to sell it and the ship. A violent north-easterly gale,
however, drove them far away to the westward, and it was not till many
days were over that they were again able to stand to the eastward. They
had, as it happened, from not taking proper observations, got out of
their reckoning; while steering, as they thought, up the Channel, they
found themselves close in with the Irish coast. By this time being
short of water and provisions, they ran into Dunmanus Bay, supposing
that, no one suspecting their character, they might remain as long as
was necessary to repair damages and to procure whatever they wanted.
Among the crew was a young black, whose life had been spared under the
idea that he was too stupid and ignorant to think of betraying them. As
he appeared to be perfectly contented on board, he was allowed to be at
liberty; but he was in reality a remarkably sharp lad, and only waited
his opportunity to get on shore. One night, after the ship had been
there two or three days, he managed to slip overboard, and, getting
safely to land, made his way to Dunbeacon Castle, at the head of the
harbour. He here described what had occurred, and it was at once
guessed that the vessel in the bay was the one for which the authorities
had been directed to be on the watch. A despatch was immediately sent
off to Bantry; before the morning a party of soldiers arrived, and,
procuring boats, boarded the ship and captured all found in her. The
ringleader, however, Brian O'Harrall, was on shore, and though strict
search was made for him he was nowhere to be discovered. He had friends
in the neighbourhood, and it was only sufficient for them to know that
the officers of justice were after him to induce them to assist in his
escape. My son happened to be in Bantry at the time, just before he
went to sea; to save the boy, who was carried there, from the vengeance
of O'Harrall, he took him back to Waterford, and Captain Tracy received
him on board the _Ouzel Galley_. It was from Pompey I heard all the
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