them across the channel. The people watched for the signal, which they earnestly hoped might never be made, and their wishes on this point were gratified, as the rebellion was put down before their assistance was required, and their valour, which would probably have shown itself by running away on the first opportunity, was happily not put to the test.
Many of the caves along the coast have been well-known resorts of smugglers, who abounded at the close of the last, and commencement of the present century. One of these is situated on the range of limestone cliffs, a short distance south of the Bull point, and opposite the Ballycastle coast. It is difficult of access, but can be entered either from the sea or the land, the passage to it being along the ledge of a fine limestone rock, called Tholavie, a pillar of which stands boldly out beyond the small aperture, so that an unpractised eye could not discover it amidst the masses of rock with which it is surrounded. The entrance is not sufficiently wide to admit more than one person at a time, but the apartment beyond is spacious and lofty, large enough to contain fifty or sixty people. A few years ago this cave was explored, and in a remote corner was found a quantity of turf partly burned, which must have remained in that state for a very great length of time. A number of bones were also strewed about, probably the relics of food. From its situation, it would form an admirable landing-place, as it might easily be defended by one man against a hundred invaders.
Vessels engaged in the smuggling trade were, of course, often hovering about Rathlin. On one occasion a craft of this description was quietly lying at anchor in Archill Bay on the east side, when a revenue cutter appeared in sight, rounding the point of Tor on the Irish coast. The smugglers were all asleep except the watch, who quickly gave the alarm, when they all rushed on deck and got the vessel under weigh. By this time the cutter was fast closing upon them, and in her eagerness to secure the prize, she chased the smuggler three times round the island, both vessels exerting their utmost skill, the islanders looking on from the summit of the cliffs, and of course sympathising with the fugitive.
At length the cutter began to gain upon the smuggler, whose capture seemed inevitable, when the crew suddenly ran their vessel behind a rock on the north side of the island, which stands so near the cliff that there was only sufficient room to admit the vessel, while the depth of the water prevented any risk of grounding. The anchor was thrown on the rock, and the top-mast instantly lowered, by which means the smuggler was effectually concealed, while the cutter continued tacking backwards and forwards, unable to account for the sudden disappearance of the vessel.
Night came on, and the pursuit was abandoned, when the smugglers crept out of their hiding-place and escaped.
The only quadrupeds, with the exception of the domesticated animals, in Rathlin, are the common hare, which is abundant, and those universal pests of society—rats and mice. Wild cats are said to have formerly inhabited the limestone rocks in Church Bay, living on mice, birds, and eggs; but no traces of such animals can now be discovered.
There are neither frogs, toads, lizards, nor serpents of any kind found here, for which exemption it is popularly supposed we are indebted to St. Patrick, who
Made the frogs jump through the bogs,
And scattered all the varmint.
In former years the seal frequented Church Bay and other parts of the island in considerable numbers; now, however, for some unknown cause, it is rarely seen, and only at those periods when the quantity of fish is unusually abundant. It is difficult to capture, and has often made its escape when severely wounded. There are many varieties of cuttlefish, sea-urchins, actiniæ, and other marine animals. Some are caught on the long line in deep water, and others are found among the seaweed in the rocky pools left by the ebbing tide. The variety of marine shells is not great, owing, it is supposed, to the rocky nature of the coasts, and the heavy surf which breaks upon it, so that any
.png){kind=spacer}
The Mound, Rathlin Island (see page 558).
