SIGNS OF FISH. 143 



westward, when the Atlantic tumbles with mountainous 

 fury into Blacksod Bay, the fishing-boat, once within 

 the Sound, finds smooth 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 succeeded, 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. She 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 



