618 WALKER. f first slighted the information, but was soon convinced how much he was indebted to him. Walker, returning to Lif ford, joined Colonel Crafton, and, by Lundee's direction, took post at the long causeway, which he defended a whole night; but at length, obliged to give way to a superior force, he retreated to Londonderry, where he endeavoured to inspire the panic-struck governor with courage to brave the storm, but in vain; he left the place either through fear or treachery. Walker, however, bravely united with Major Baker to defend the place, which would have appeared bordering upon rashness, if they had been able generals. James commanded a nume rous army in person, which was well supplied with every requisite for a siege. The besieged had no means for a long defence; they were men who, flying from their houses, had taken shelter in this place; they had not more than twenty cannon, nor more than ten days’ provision, and had no engineers, nor horses for foraging parties or sallies. Still resolved to suffer the greatest extremities rather than yield, they did a l l that desperate men could effect. They sent t o King William t o inform him o f their determination, imploring speedy relief. Major Baker dying, the command devolved chiefly o n Walker, who exercised i t with a stoic philosophy that has few parallels. Horses, dogs, cats, rats, and mice, were devoured b y the garrison, and even salted hides were used a s food. Mr. Walker suffered i n common with his men, and even prompted them t o make several sallies; and a s the men eonstantly fled, the officers suffered dreadfully. London derry having a good harbour, h e hoped that the king might b e enabled t o raise the siege that way, for b y land there were n o hopes o f succour. But the fatality which frustrated every attempt o f James, prevented him from storming the place, which might a t any time have been done; o n the contrary, h e determined o n a blockade, and t o starve the garrison into a surrender. With this view he had a bar made across the arm o f the sea, which, a s he supposed, would prevent vessels from entering the town.
