owned property. They had on their island four bullocks, a cow, two sows, and seven small pigs. Matty Hynes, driven at last to extremities, resolved to seize some or all of these animals. He knew that the Geraghtys would offer all the resistance in their power, so he called on the police officer of the locality and demanded his assistance.
Mr. Benson, the District Inspector of Police, was a young man with the feelings of a gentleman, and a natural dislike for tax-collectors. He was a sportsman, and rather admired the stand made by the Geraghtys. But he was also an officer, pledged to the maintenance of law and order. He felt himself forced to accede to the request made by Matty Hynes.
"I suppose," he said, with a note of sarcasm in his voice, "that four constables and the sergeant will be enough to overawe the Geraghtys?"
"They will, surely," said Matty Hynes, adding as an afterthought, "if so be we had them there."
Mr. Benson was new to the west of Ireland. There seemed to him no reason why the men should not be taken to Inishbee in a boat. The island was only two miles distant from the mainland. He said as much to Matty Hynes.
"You might take them in a boat," said Matty, "if so be you had the boat."
There were five boats in the little harbour at Ballymore; stout fishing-boats, each of them able to carry four constables, a sergeant, Mr. Benson,
