Beresford, however, was not a man to relinquish a claim he
had once preferred; he had right and parchment on his side, and he cared
very little for prescription, or what he called the prejudices of a
barbarous peasantry. He went vigorously to work, served the trespassers
with due notice to quit, and proceeded against the delinquents at
sessions. For years and years the conflict lasted, with various and
changeful successes. Now, the landlord would seem triumphant, he had
gained his decree, taken ont his execution against the nets, the boats,
and the tackle, but when the hour of enforcing the law arrived, his
bailiffs had been beaten ignominiously from the field, and the fishermen
left in full possession of the territory. Driven to desperation by the
stubborn resistance, Sir Archy determined on a bolder stand. He erected
a cottage on the beach, and established himself there with a strong
garrison of retainers well armed, and prepared to defend their rights.
Port-na-Whapple was at length won, and although some bloody affrays
did occasionally occur between the rival parties, the fishermen were
compelled to abandon the station and seek a livelihood elsewhere.

With a confidence inspired by some years of security, Sir Archy
diminished his garrison, till at length it was his habit to come down to
the bay accompanied by only a single servant. The old feud appeared to
have died out; not, indeed, that the landlord met those signs of respect
from his tenantry which imply good understanding between them; no
welcome met him when he came, no regrets followed him when he departed,
and even few of the country people accorded the courtesy of touching
their hat as they met him passingly on the road. He was a "hard man,"
however, and cared little for such slights. At length--it was a season
when he had exceeded his usual stay at the coast--there came a period of
great distress amongst the fishermen. Day after day the boats went out
and returned empty. It was in vain that they passed days and nights
at sea, venturing far out upon that wild northern ocean,--the most
treacherous in existence,--in vain they explored the bays, more perilous
still than the open sea. Their sole subsistence was derived from the
sea, and what was to be done? Gaunt famine was stamped on many a hardy
face, and strong men dragged their limbs lazily and languidly, as if in
sickness. As Sir Archy had never succeeded in obtaining a tenant for the
royalty of Port-na-Whap