Derry and Limerick
fortnight later, during which time the city was left without a garrison.
On the morning of the 7th of December, 1688, the unwelcome intelligence reached Derry that Antrim's ragged regiment of Irish and Highlanders (bloody-minded scoundrels there was no doubt) were on the march within a couple of miles of the city.
As the news spread, excited crowds gathered in the streets, loudly debating whether they should refuse entry to the King's troops or not. "However, divers of those who had made some figure in the town wished the thing were done, yet none of them thought fit to be themselves active." But the excitement of the populace momentarily increased as they saw Antrim's "Redshanks" appear upon the opposite bank of the Foyle, row over, and advance rapidly towards Ferry Gate. For afew breathless moments great issues hung in the balance. But while the bourgeois were counting the cost, "a few resolute apprentice boys" crossed the Rubicon. Drawing their swords, they seized the keys at the Mainguard, rushed to Ferry Gate, drew up the bridge, and locked the gate in the very faces of the soldiers, who were now but sixty yards away. This overt act of war "like magic roused a unanimous spirit of defence." The other three gates
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