THE FOX AND CRUISER. 117 



and unbroken water. Hence, when the weather breaks, 

 the hookers seek its shelter, there to wait until the storm 

 moderates. 



Nor is it to the fisherman alone that the Bull's Mouth has 

 afforded shelter and protection. Not many years ago, a large 

 American vessel was driven upon the coast by a continuance 

 of westerly winds, and unable to work off, was fairly embayed 

 within Blacksod. Shipwreck appeared inevitable anchor 

 after anchor was let go, but the tremendous swell from the 

 ocean parted the cables, and the vessel drifted rapidly towards 

 the shore. The wild and rock-bound coast to leeward terrified 

 the crew, and, in despair, they committed themselves to their 

 boat, abandoning the ship to her fate. A hooker's crew, 

 which had been caught by the gale, witnessed the desertion 

 of the vessel, and although boarding her was a service of 

 danger, they determined to attempt her rescue. They suc- 

 ceeded, and the derelict bark was carried safely within the 

 sound. 



To the Bull's Mouth, also, one of his Majesty's cruisers 

 was indebted for her deliverance. During the last American 

 war, an enemy's schooner of formidable force dragooned the 

 coast from Arran to the Stags of Broad Haven. JShe landed 

 where she pleased, and amused herself by burning every 

 coaster that was silly enough to leave her harbour. In Achil 

 the Fox was quite at home, the crew trafficked, danced, and 

 drank among the islanders, with as much sang-froid as if Paul 

 Jones had been commander. But this could not last for ever. 

 Some heavy sloops and brigs were ordered from the southward, 

 and the Fox was reluctantly obliged to disappear. A revenue 

 cruiser, that had been long blockaded in Westport Bay, took 

 heart and ventured out. The enemy was out of sight, and, 

 with a clear sea, old Morris rounded Achil Head. When the 

 scarecrow vanishes, it is marvellous how rapidly one's courage 

 is rekindled ; and too late the Nepean discovered that the odds 

 between herself and the privateer were not so desperate. In 

 point of men and metal the Fox was indeed overwhelming, but 

 etill, steady discipline and close fighting might do wonders. 

 Morning dawned and its first light showed the infernal Fox 

 but two short miles to windward ! Away went the cutter, and 

 away went the privateer. With singular audacity the Fox 

 followed into the bay, came up hand-over-hand, and gained 

 upon the cruiser, until the long two-and-thirty , which the 



