298 WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



along the deck, with two long, brass guns of smaller 

 calibre and every other appurtenance of war was in 

 perfect efficiency. But the most striking object was her 

 ferocious-looking, but magnificent crew ; they seemed 

 only formed for " the battle and the breeze ; " and well 

 justified their commander's boast, " that he could 

 thrash any cruiser of his own size, and land his cargo 

 in six hours afterwards." 



We left the vessel — and, to judge by the kegs and cases 

 stowed away in the gig, my cousin had not been for- 

 gotten in the general distribution. The outlaw stood 

 upon a carronade, and waved his hand as we pulled from 

 the ship's side ; and in a short time set his head-sails, 

 and stood off to sea with the ebb-tide and a spanking 

 breeze, which carried him out of sight directly. 



This was fated to be the last landing of the Jane^ and 

 the last exploit of her commander ; she foundered on 

 her next voyage, and every person on board perished 

 with the vessel.* 



We had nearly reached the bar, when we observed a 

 large sailing-boat strike on the tail of Carrig-a-boddagh, 

 and as the tide was falling fast, she was in momentary 

 danger of falling over. Every exertion of the crew to get 

 her off was ineffectual ; and on our nearer approach 

 they evinced such unequivocal symptoms of inebriety 

 as accounted for the disaster. A solitary passenger was 

 on board, who appeared in desperate alarm ; and, at 

 his own earnest solicitation, we received him and his 

 personal effects, which were extremely limited, into 

 our boat. The crew remained with the hooker, which 

 they calculated upon floating off the following tide. 



♦The Jane went down in a tremendous gale off the north-west 

 coast of Ireland. Her consort, The Blue-eyed Maid, witnessed the 

 melancholy event, without being able to render any assistance. 



