rack prison, even for
captivity on board a man-of-war.

Gradually the strictness had relaxed and the prisoners were treated
better, and Allen fully believed that the meaning of the return to
America was that they were to be liberated in exchange.

The master of arms on the _Solebay_ was an Irishman named Michael
Gilligan, and the vessel had only been out two nights when Gilligan
sought Allen and offered him his friendship.

"And it's meself as would be a rebel if I were free, but, bad cess to
it, I was pressed, and so I made the best of a bad job, and will fight
for the flag because it is my duty."

"I admire a brave Englishman----" Allen commenced, but was cut short
with the remark:

"I'm not an Englishman, but I'm Irish, and my people are all rebels.
Will ye let me be your friend?"

"I shall be only too pleased."

"Then you'll berth with me. Sure it's not such a place as I'd like to
be offering you, but it's better than this."

Gilligan held a similar rank to that of a sergeant of a regiment, and
was a man of considerable importance on board.

He had a berth between decks, inclosed in canvas, and, as it was large,
Allen had plenty of room.

When Cork, or rather the Cove of Cork, now called Queenstown, was
reached and the _Solebay_ cast anchor, the rumor spread through the
cove that a number of American rebels were on board.

Allen was standing on deck looking over the finest harbor in Europe,
when his attention was called to a small boat hailing the war ship.

Some men climbed up on deck and asked for Col. Allen, of America.

Allen was so close that he could not help hearing, and he answered that
he was Ethan Allen.

John Hays, a merchant of Cork, clasped Allen's hand and tried to speak,
but, instead of words, tears flowed down his cheeks and his voice was
choked.

When he did master his emotion he exclaimed, with patriarchal fervor:

"Heaven bless you and all brave men like you who are fighting for
liberty."

He introduced his friend, merchant Clark, also of Cork, and said their
mission was to offer the patriots such things as they stood in need of.

Clothes, or money, or food would be willingly given if Allen would only
say what was most needed.

The offer was gratifying, and Allen expressed a wish for clothes for
the prisoners. He explained that, though prisoners for several months,
they had not received a change of clothes, and that some were
absolutely in rags.

The next day a boat we