The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1888-02-09
from Chambers Journal.
A NIGHT RAID
On The Donegal Smugglers

On wild, stormy evening, som
years ago, the writer was returnin;
to Ballyroughan, miserable littl
town on the bleak coast Of Donegal
It had rained heavily all day, but hav
ing cleared up little, drew rein as
approached the town. On such al
evening the scene was far from in
spring. The road followed the wind
ings Of the seashore, here bounded b.
huge rocks, over which the waves
were dashing furiously, like demons
storming a fort. About five mile'
from the mainland lay the little islant
Of Innismurry, almost shrouded ir
mist, and only discernible by the ring
of white foam which marked its coast
Beyond, stretched the Atlantic, rag
ing with all the force and passion oi
November storm. I had barely time
to take in this scene, when [ was &C.
costed by man, who seemed to rist
out of the road at my side.
'It's sevare day, yer honor" sale
he, politely touching his hat. "God
be good to them that's at sea on ar
evening like that"
"It is very stormy, indeed; but
think the worst of it is now over"
"God sind it, thin, for it's hare
times for the fisherman; though its
mighty good for the stillin'."
"Good for the stilling" said
"What do you mean?"
"Why, name there's little fear Of
the boys being interrupted in wealth
er like that"
interrupted at what?"
why, at the stillin,' av coorse;
and by the same token, yonder they're
at it, and he pointed to the little is
land already referred to, now partial
ly disrobed of its mist.
''Do you mean to say that there is
illicit distillation now going on at
that island?"
'Faix and you've just guessed it;
and sure it comes mighty handy, by
rayson that the fair is on Monday"
1 need not weary the reader with
all that passed between me and my
chance companion, whom I recognized
as Mickey Mehafey, a hanger-on
about one of the hotels in the town.
From Mickey I learned that the in-
habitants Of Innismurry consisted of
about score of families, who obtained
living by fishing and illicit distilla-
ton, aud | grieve to say, chiefly by
the latter. There were no police on
the island, and as in stormy weather
it was wholly unapproachable from
the mainland, they could carry on
their nefarious business without fear
of disturbance. At other times their
scouts could give at least half an
hours warning Of approaching dam
ger, and this was sufficient to enable
them to secrete their contraband
goods before the ''inimy" arrived.
And when hard pressed, the Atlantic
always formed safe and capacious
storehouse. They had also their
agents and confederates on the main
land, who assisted them to land and
disposed Of the poteen prior to fairs,
wakes, and marriages, these being the
fayorite channels of home consump-
tion.
But to return to Mickey. He still
kept wistful eye on the island, par
ticularly on one little curl Of blue
smoke that he assured me arose from
the identical cabin where the stills
were at that moment being fired.
They'll be sure to land it on Sun
day night" said he, "as Monday is the
fair. The new gauger is very sevare,
I'm towld, and means to make raid
on them
"Who told you that?" l asked.
"Oh, the divil one; sure, I've been
dhraming it, or something"
"Well, Mickey" said l, "since
you've been so very free with your in
formation, don't mind telling you
that I am the new gauger myself, and
certainly mean to put stop to this
smuggling, if possible
"Oh, the saints protect us!" piously
circulated Mickey. bad luck to the
tongue of me! I've been an informer
all unknownst to meself: but your
honor won't betray me?"
Never fear. | knew already most
Of what you told me"
"Arrah! did you, now? Well, and
if you want any more information
about them same smugglers, sure
Mickey Mehafey's the boy that can
find it out for ye."
was certainly rather amused al
Mickey's sudden change Of principles
and telling him to call ON me next
day, if he had further information to
give, l put spurs to my horse and
trotted in to town.
I had only been recently appointed
to Ballyroughan, with special instruc.
tions to do my utmost to suppress
smuggling, which was at that time
very prevalent in the district. Anc
from all the information | could gath
er, / came to the conclusion that the
most effectual way Of doing this wal
to intercept the landing of the goods
frcm the island. The supply, rea
soned, would soon cease, if succeeded